Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Non-invasive 3D-Visualization with Sub-micron Resolution Using Synchrotron-X-ray-tomography
Published on: May 27, 2008
Visualization of heated latent fingerprints by synchrotron radiation soft X-ray photoemission electron microscopy
Satoru Hamamoto1, Masahisa Takatsu1, Hiroyuki Fujiwara1
1RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Koto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan. shamamoto@spring8.or.jp.
Abstract:
Fingerprint testing is routine for personal identification, but damaged prints, such as those exposed to heat in fire cases, are difficult to visualize. Currently, there is no method available to visualize severely heat-damaged fingerprints. We developed a visualization technique using synchrotron radiation (SR) soft-X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM). Fingerprints on silicon, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and glass were heated at 400 °C for an hour and then examined. Ridge patterns could not be seen by optical microscopy, laser microscopy, or scanning electron microscopy, except on silicon. Even then, SR PEEM revealed ridge patterns by detecting sodium particles (∼1 μm) clustered into 10 μm spots. Multiple images were combined to successfully produce a clear 5 mm-wide ridge pattern. For the glass substrate, prior titanium vapor deposition prevented electric discharge, resulting in a clear ridge pattern observation by SR PEEM. Unlike conventional methods, SR soft-X-ray PEEM detects sodium sensitively and specifically, producing clear ridge patterns in heat-damaged fingerprints, which is promising for advanced criminal fingerprint testing.
More Related Videos
10:03Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
08:26Cell Culture on Silicon Nitride Membranes and Cryopreparation for Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Nano-analysis
Published on: December 10, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Biological Effects of Radiation
X-ray Crystallography
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
Overview of Electron Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Transmission Electron Microscopy
Immunogold Electron Microscopy