(Bio)polymer-Based Powders As Hidden Treasures in Dactyloscop

Abstract

Different chemical, physical, and physico-chemical methods with addition of optical methods have been used for decades for the development of latent fingerprints (LFPs), even though the choice of a method depends on various factors (type and structure of the surface, external conditions, donor etc.). However, a universal system has not yet been fabricated, while many of those already used are toxic to the humans and the environment. Recently, researchers designed formulations based on (bio)polymeric materials and their specific properties, suitable for targeted interaction with fingerprint (FP) sweat and lipid residues. Some research groups produced fluorescent properties of particular polymeric materials to map sweat pores, while others encapsulated/incorporated dyes, pigments, etc. into polymeric matrix to obtain formulations of desired color and properties. Additionally, polymer micelles have become interesting due to their amphiphilic properties and the ability to incorporate compounds which could enable multi-colored emission brightness. Nevertheless, (polymeric) nanomaterials are currently of a great importance in material science world, due to specific optical and electronic properties convenient for interaction with FP residues found on different (multi-colored, electroconductive, etc.) substrates. This paper focuses on (bio)polymer-based systems used to develop LFPs, different approaches of research groups and future possibilities to create the optimal system for specified purpose.

Keywords

• forensic sciences
• latent fingerprint
• physical systems
• (bio)polymer powders