AIEE-Active Green Fluorescence Imaging Technique for Latent Fingerprint Application

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Latent fingerprint imaging is vital for national security and crime recognition.
• Existing methods often lack environmental sustainability and non-toxicity.
• There is a need for green, efficient materials for fingerprint visualization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable, non-toxic fluorescent material for latent fingerprint imaging.
• To achieve high-resolution and high-contrast visualization of fingerprints.
• To assess the material's applicability across various substrates and its stability.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel green fluorescence-emitting organic conjugated material, THCHO.
• Application of THCHO via a simple spray method for fingerprint visualization.
• Evaluation of imaging performance on diverse substrates (glass, aluminum foil, plastic, ironware) and stability tests.

Main Results:

• THCHO effectively binds to latent fingerprints, producing strong green fluorescence.
• Clear, high-resolution visualization of fingerprint imprints with exceptional detail and contrast was achieved within 5 seconds.
• The material demonstrated consistent performance across various substrates and maintained fluorescence for up to 35 days, even after washing.

Conclusions:

• THCHO is a highly effective, stable, and environmentally friendly material for latent fingerprint fluorescence imaging.
• Its rapid visualization capability and broad substrate applicability make it suitable for on-site forensic applications.
• This study introduces the first conjugated organic thiophene material for this purpose, opening avenues for further research and applications.