In the last decade, forensic investigations have increased the effectiveness to complete criminal cases due to the development of specialized equipment and technology. However, the development of fingermarks techniques remains under research. Nanotechnology offers new ways to fill the gaps by the employ of powder nanomaterials for fingermarks as an innovative alternative for detection. Our work consists in the evaluation of the effectiveness of nanopowders for the enhancement of the resolution of fingermarks’ impression. This study was performed using silver and gold nanoparticles alone and coupled to fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles like ZnO, and CdS. Fresh and aged fingermarks on dry porous and nonporous surface materials were immersed in the nanoparticle solutions. The surfaces used for the study included: crystal, Aluminum foil, polyethylene and A4- regular paper. The sebaceous fingermarks and natural sweat fingermarks impressions were obtained from volunteer students. The impressions samples were divided in three groups of study. In the first group the fingermarks were sampled and analyzed the same day. In the groups two and three the samples were aged during four and ten days, respectively. Results showed that samples treated with ZnO nanopowder presented higher definition and details in comparison with the samples treated using aluminum powder. Additionally, samples with the natural fingers sweat last more than the samples with sebum. This proposed method offers a great sensitive forensic alternative to enhance the detection of fingermarks.

Comparative study of the application of nanostructured materials to fingermarks impressions

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.