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Published on: June 9, 2023
High-Resolution and Universal Visualization of Latent Fingerprints Based on Aptamer-Functionalized Core-Shell
Jingjing Zhao1, Kun Zhang1, Yixin Li1
1Department of Chemistry, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and State Key Lab of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University , Shanghai 200433, China.
Abstract:
Although fingerprints have been widely used in forensic investigations, low resolution and poor universality are still the main obstacles for the development of fingerprint visualization. In this paper, a facile and universal imaging protocol for latent fingerprints (LFPs) was developed by combining sandwiched SERS probes with the highly sensitive and selective recognition of aptamers. The embedded SERS probes (Au/pNTP/SiO2) successfully avoid the environment interference, ascertaining the stability and reproducibility of Raman signals, and simultaneously improve the efficiency of the fingerprint identification. This approach is operationally simple without complicated pre- or post-treatments. Moreover, the fingerprint images display the high resolution in which third-level details can be clearly identified. This is a general approach and can be used to detect various types of fingerprints, including sebaceous, eccrine, fresh LFPs, and aged LFPs on different substrates (such as smooth, scratching, semiporous, and porous surfaces).
