Luminescence detection of latent fingermarks on non-porous surfaces with heavy-metal-free quantum dots

TY - JOUR

T1 - Luminescence detection of latent fingermarks on non-porous surfaces with heavy-metal-free quantum dots

AU - Shahbazi, Sorour

AU - Boseley, Rhiannon

AU - Grant, Braden

AU - Chen, Dechao

AU - Becker, Thomas

AU - Adegoke, Oluwasesan

AU - Nic Daéid, Niamh

AU - Jia, Guohua

AU - Lewis, Simon W.

PY - 2020/5

Y1 - 2020/5

N2 - 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 for the detection of latent fingermarks on non-porous surfaces. Red-near infrared luminescent CuInS2/ZnS core/shell quantum dots in aqueous solution were produced in large scales using a simple, fast, water-based method with N-acetylcysteine as a biocompatible surfactant to coat the particles. The coated quantum dots 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.

AB - 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 for the detection of latent fingermarks on non-porous surfaces. Red-near infrared luminescent CuInS2/ZnS core/shell quantum dots in aqueous solution were produced in large scales using a simple, fast, water-based method with N-acetylcysteine as a biocompatible surfactant to coat the particles. The coated quantum dots 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.

KW - Forensic science

KW - Latent fingermarks

KW - Photoluminescence

KW - Quantum dots

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85078991130

U2 - 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100222

DO - 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100222

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85078991130

SN - 2468-1709

VL - 18

SP - 1

EP - 6

JO - Forensic Chemistry

JF - Forensic Chemistry

M1 - 100222

ER -