Unveiling the Power of Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Review on Revolutionary Techniques for Development of Latent Fingerprints

Abstract

Nanoparticles range between 1 to 100 nm and are undetectable by the eyes. The size of nanoparticles makes them unique in adjustable mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. Due to these characteristics, nanoparticles have a high significance in forensic science development. Fingerprints are the most common and important physical evidence on the crime scene. A latent fingerprint develops when the finger comes in contact with any surface, leaving sweat deposition, but this sweat deposition remains unnoticeable because sweat composition remains colorless. The present study provides a concise review of different nanoparticles like gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, antibodies functionalized gold nanoparticles, aluminum oxide nanoparticles, Bi-functionalized gold nanoparticles, fluorescent starch-based carbon nanoparticles, electrodeposition of metal nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles; carbon dot-based nanoparticles which can be used to develop fingerprints. This article discusses different types of print found on crime scenes and a comparative study of nanoparticles that are used to develop fingerprints. The various nanomaterials can be utilized for fingerprint development and to carry out future studies on fingerprint science following the growing demands of the modern scientific community. © 2024 by the authors.