Luminescence Detection of Latent Fingermarks with Heavy-Metal-Free Quantum Dots

11 October 2019, Version 2
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

Current and proposed nanoparticle-based techniques for development of latent fingermarks suffer a number of drawbacks such as complicated, multi-step and time-consuming procedures, batch-to-batch variability, expensive reagents, large background noise and toxicity. Here, we introduce a promising green development technique based on heavy-metal-free quantum dots (QD) for the detection of latent fingermarks on non-porous surfaces. Red-near infrared luminescent Cu-In-S/ZnS core-shell QDs solution was produced in large scales using a water-based, simple and fast method using N-acetyl-cysteine as a biocompatible surfactant to coat the particles. The coated QDs were applied to the successful development of latent fingermarks deposited on a variety of surfaces, including highly patterned polymer banknotes and the sticky side of adhesive tape.

Keywords

Latent fingermarks
Quantum dots
Photoluminescence
Forensic science

Supplementary materials

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