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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: July 21, 2011
Harnessing volatile luminescent lanthanide complexes to visualise latent fingermarks on nonporous surfaces
Grace E Florence1, William J Gee
1School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NH, UK. W.Gee@kent.ac.uk.
Abstract:
Two commercially-available terbium and europium complexes, EuFOD and TbTMHD, provide luminescent visualisation of latent fingermarks placed on nonporous surfaces via sublimation. This is demonstrated using UV radiation from a forensic light source. The method was optimised on metal foil, with other archetypal nonporous surfaces (i.e. glass, ceramic) also suited to this method.
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