Researchers have developed a revolutionary nanomaterial that can transform the way we visualize fingerprints, making it easier to identify individuals. The new material, created by combining mesoporous silica nanoparticles with chitosan and dansylglycine, has special properties that make it adhere well to fingerprint residues, even old ones.
This breakthrough could greatly aid in forensic investigations, as the nanomaterial can be used directly at crime scenes without lab facilities. The researchers tested the material on various surfaces, including metal, plastic, glass, and complex objects like polymer banknotes, and found that it produced high-quality fingerprint images that meet UK Home Office standards for identification.
The team’s findings were published in a paper titled “Dansyl fluorophore functionalized hierarchically structured mesoporous silica nanoparticles as novel latent fingerprint development agents” in the journal RSC Advances. The research was supported by Diamond Light Source, which provided valuable data using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) techniques.
This innovative nanomaterial has the potential to revolutionize forensic science, enabling investigators to quickly and accurately identify individuals based on their fingerprints. With its ability to visualize both fresh and aged fingerprints, this technology could significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of forensic investigations.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-09-fluorescent-nanomaterial-visualize-fingerprints.html