Sunlight-activated near-infrared phosphorescence as a viable means of latent fingermark visualisation

Latent fingermark enhancement has remained a pivotal tool within forensic science casework for over 100 years, serving as a fundamental and crucial method of attributing contact between an individual and an item of evidential value [1 –3]. Despite the relative maturity of the discipline and the multitude of visualisation processes that have been documented and implemented over the years, significant challenges remain within the fingermark enhancement community. The evolution of novel material types and compositions that are use d during the manufacture of commonly encountered everyday items (recycled plastics, for example) or technologically driven substrate changes (3D printed items) means that the forensic practitioner has to re-evaluate, assess and validate pre-existing processes for their suitability on such evidence t ypes, whilst also continuing to explore more effective and pertinent processes specific to the medium in question.
Source: Forensic Science International - Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Tags: Rapid Communication Source Type: research