DNA recovery from latent fingermarks treated with an infrared fluorescent fingerprint powder

The effect of the infrared fluorescent fingermark visualisation powder, fpNatural 1™, on the recovery of both the quantity and quality of touch DNA from fingerprints deposited on glass slides, was investigated using qPCR and STR typing. Four donors each deposited replicate marks, which were either left untreated (n=5) or treated by dusting with fpNatural 1™ (n=5). Each sample was swabbed using the double swab technique, before being extracted using the EZNA Forensic DNA kit and then DNA quantitated before being subjected to DNA profile analysis. Results showed that there was no significant effect of fpNatural 1™ on either the quantity or quality of recovered DNA. This suggests that fpNatural 1™ may prove a good choice of powder for regular use at crime scenes or in the laboratory. The fpNatural 1™ properties of low density, water immiscibility and low DNA affinity may account for these positive outcomes.