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Nanostructured Silicon-Based Fingerprint Dusting Powders for Enhanced Visualization and Detection by Mass
Taryn M Guinan1, Hilton Kobus2, Yiqing Lu3
1ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
Chempluschem
|January 24, 2020
Summary
Novel luminescent porous silicon microparticles (pSi MPs) offer advanced fingerprint detection. These microparticles enable detailed analysis of latent fingerprints, revealing additional molecular information for forensic science.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Latent fingerprint detection is crucial in forensics.
- Current dusting powders have limitations in providing detailed analysis.
- Luminescent nanomaterials offer potential for enhanced forensic techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore porous silicon microparticles (pSi MPs) as novel fingerprint dusting powders.
- To investigate the utility of functionalized and intrinsically luminescent pSi MPs.
- To demonstrate the capabilities of pSi MPs in advanced fingerprint analysis.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of fluorescent dye-functionalized and intrinsically luminescent pSi MPs.
- Application of pSi MPs as dusting powders on latent fingerprints.
- Time-gated imaging of near-infrared emission from pSi MPs.
- Mass spectrometry analysis of dusted fingerprints.
Main Results:
- Luminescent pSi MPs were successfully developed as fingerprint dusting powders.
- Time-gated imaging revealed long-lived near-IR emission (lifetime > 28 μs).
- Mass spectrometry provided insights into exogenous small molecules in latent fingerprints.
Conclusions:
- Luminescent pSi MPs are versatile tools for fingerprint detection and analysis.
- The long-lived luminescence allows for high-contrast imaging.
- pSi MPs can provide additional chemical information from latent fingerprints, enhancing forensic investigations.
