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Recent Trends of Dyes in Latent Fingerprint Development

Authors:
  • Government Institute of Forensic Science Aurangabd

Abstract

One of the most common types of physical evidence found at crime scenes is a fingerprint. Latent Fingerprints (LFPs) continue to play a very important role in personal identification in criminal forensics. It is found on various objects at the crime scene side and is used to identify the suspect or criminal and link them to the crime scene, weapon, or object. When the finger touches any surface, the sweat from these pores gets deposited in form of contours, which are the mirror image of the ridge patterns. LFPs have the unique impressions of various loops, whorls, and arches left behind when a finger comes in contact with a surface and it is formed due to the deposition of colorless sweat. LFPs residues consist of secretions of the eccrine (sweat), sebaceous, and apocrine glands present on the palm, head, and nose. Sweat contains 98% water, 0.5% minerals, and 0.5% other organic compounds. Eccrine sweat consists of proteins, urea, amino acids, uric acid, lactic acid, sugars, creatinine, and choline, while sebaceous sweat consists of glycerides, fatty acids, wax esters, squalene, and sterol esters. Fingerprint samples also have unique chemical contents that can be used to extract valuable information about the person or persons of interest. Fingerprints are developed on the hands of individuals in the time of the embryo's development stage from the 9th and 24th week. The science of developing visible representations of LFPs dates back more than a century, and the number and type of these techniques have steadily increased. From an imaging perspective, the goal of developing latent fingerprints is to maximize sensitivity, contrast, and selectivity. The method of choice is often dictated by the nature of the substrate on which the print is deposited; substrate porosity, reactivity, and other properties must all be taken into consideration when choosing an existing method or developing a new LFPs on the various surface. Apart from imaging, another consideration of increasing importance is that the development technique should not compromise any chemical information that may be contained in the print. An emerging area in fingerprint development is the application of organic dyes for the development of latent fingerprints on porous, non-porous, and wet surfaces by powder dusting methods. Most of these novel methods offer high sensitivity and improved contrast pattern of substrates, and with high resolution. The scientific community plays a dynamic role in the development of forensics in various dimensions. These topics have always been under constant investigation and development of Latent fingermarks using numerous dyes for the last three to four decades. Every year hundreds of dyes are reported which have excellent applications in the development of latent fingerprints. The most common dye like ninhydrin and azo dye is used for the development of latent prints. Also, The dyes like ninhydrin, Rhodamine, Nitro dye derivatives, ninhydrin, Numerous azo dye derivatives, acidic dye, dye basic dye, alizarin, triaryl methane dye, and indigo dye are used for the development of finger marks. The research community every year develop some novel derivatives having significant application in the visualization of a latent fingerprint. devidas.bhagat@gov.in
22
Dr. Devidas S. Bhagat
Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Dept. of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology,
Govt. Inst. of Forensic Sci. Aurangabad 431 004
Email:
One of the most common types of physical evidence found at crime scenes is a fingerprint.
Latent Fingerprints (LFPs) continue to play a very important role in personal identification in
criminal forensics. It is found on various objects at the crime scene side and is used to identify the
suspect or criminal and link them to the crime scene, weapon, or object. When the finger touches
any surface, the sweat from these pores gets deposited in form of contours, which are the mirror
image of the ridge patterns. LFPs have the unique impressions of various loops, whorls, and arches
left behind when a finger comes in contact with a surface and it is formed due to the deposition of
colorless sweat. LFPs residues consist of secretions of the eccrine (sweat), sebaceous, and
apocrine glands present on the palm, head, and nose. Sweat contains 98% water, 0.5% minerals,
and 0.5% other organic compounds. Eccrine sweat consists of proteins, urea, amino acids, uric
acid, lactic acid, sugars, creatinine, and choline, while sebaceous sweat consists of glycerides,
fatty acids, wax esters, squalene, and sterol esters. Fingerprint samples also have unique chemical
contents that can be used to extract valuable information about the person or persons of interest.
Fingerprints are developed on the hands of individuals in the time of the embryo's development
stage from the 9th and 24th week.
The science of developing visible representations of LFPs dates back more than a century,
and the number and type of these techniques have steadily increased. From an imaging
perspective, the goal of developing latent fingerprints is to maximize sensitivity, contrast, and
selectivity. The method of choice is often dictated by the nature of the substrate on which the print
is deposited; substrate porosity, reactivity, and other properties must all be taken into consideration
when choosing an existing method or developing a new LFPs on the various surface. Apart from
imaging, another consideration of increasing importance is that the development technique should
not compromise any chemical information that may be contained in the print. An emerging area in
fingerprint development is the application of organic dyes for the development of latent
fingerprints on porous, non-porous, and wet surfaces by powder dusting methods. Most of these
novel methods offer high sensitivity and improved contrast pattern of substrates, and with high
resolution.
The scientific community plays a dynamic role in the development of forensics in various
dimensions. These topics have always been under constant investigation and development of
Latent fingermarks using numerous dyes for the last three to four decades. Every year hundreds of
dyes are reported which have excellent applications in the development of latent fingerprints. The
most common dye like ninhydrin and azo dye is used for the development of latent prints. Also,
The dyes like ninhydrin, Rhodamine, Nitro dye derivatives, ninhydrin, Numerous azo dye
derivatives, acidic dye, dye basic dye, alizarin, triaryl methane dye, and indigo dye are used for the
development of finger marks. The research community every year develop some novel derivatives
having significant application in the visualization of a latent fingerprint.
devidas.bhagat@gov.in
Recent Trends of Dyes in Latent Fingerprint Development
ACT News Letter 18, September - December - 2020ACT News Letter 18, September - December - 2020
23
The field of developed chemical fingerprints has been analyzed by empirical
investigations. The chemistry has been investigated out of intellectual curiosity or as an attempt to
improve the protocol. The challenge for chemistry instructors, researchers, forensic experts, and
students is to develop novel dyes having unique properties.
References:
1. J. Brent Friesen, J. Chem. Educ. 2015, 92, 497-504
2. C. Huynha, J. Halamek, Trends Anal. Chem., 2016, 82, 328-336
3. D.S. Bhagat, et. al, Mater. Today, 2020, 29, 1223-1228
A 3D printed lock and key model to aide teachers to teach
Chemistry to visually challenged students
Prof B S Balaji
School of Biotechnology,Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi 110067
Email ; bsbalaji@mail.jnu.ac.in
According to a report published by the National Programme for Control of Blindness
(NPCB), India is home to a third of the world's blind population (about 10 million).The challenges
faced by the blind people are numerous. Even teachers of such students face various limitations to
teach these children.
In order to alleviate the problems faced by visually challenged people, various support
efforts had been carried out by Government of India. Despite these policy measures, when it comes
to education, the visually impaired are still not adequately benefited. A survey conducted by the
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) shows, vast majority of the blind
children (around 70 %) are not enrolled in any form of education system.
ACT News Letter 18, September - December - 2020ACT News Letter 18, September - December - 2020
... Furthermore, the continued research and development surrounding Silica Gel G powder are expected to yield advancements in its formulation and application techniques, further enhancing its capabilities and expanding its applicability to a broader spectrum of forensic scenarios [56,57]. Ongoing innovation in the ield of materials science and forensic chemistry is likely to contribute to the re inement of Silica Gel G powder, unlocking new possibilities for latent ingerprint visualization and bolstering its role as a cornerstone of modern forensic investigations [8,12]. ...
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Full-text available
Latent fingerprints are a common source of information for forensic experts and law enforcement agencies. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates that are prepared in this work are made with silica gel G powder. Latent fingerprint remnants are made up of secretions from the nose, palm, and sebaceous, apocrine, and eccrine glands (sweat). However, the quest for more versatile and effective techniques persisted, leading to the emergence of innovative approaches like Silica Gel G powder. The silicon atoms are linked to –OH groups at the silica gel’s surface. A latent fingerprint is an imprint left by direct contact with a surface or object that is not apparent to the unaided eye. The advantages of using Silica Gel G powder for latent fingerprint visualization underscore its significance as an innovative technique in forensic science. The latent fingerprints were developed on each of the several substrates using Merck Specialties Private Limited’s white-coloured silica gel G powder. There are several techniques in the literature for creating latent fingerprints. The emergence of Silica Gel G powder in forensic science represents a significant breakthrough in the visualization of latent fingerprints. The process of using Silica Gel G powder for latent fingerprint visualization exemplifies the precision and attention to detail required in forensic investigations.
  • Brent Friesen
J. Brent Friesen, J. Chem. Educ. 2015, 92, 497-504
  • C Huynha
  • J Halamek
C. Huynha, J. Halamek, Trends Anal. Chem., 2016, 82, 328-336