A study on development of fingerprint powders using natural sources for latent fingerprint visualization on non-porous surfaces

Abstract

The fingerprint development methods are the cornerstone of forensic science. The powder dusting method is a popular and non-destructive method for detecting latent fingerprints. This study aimed to find cheap, safe and readily available alternatives to the traditional powders. The creation and application of fingerprint powders derived from natural sources. These environmentally safe alternatives pigments and compounds created from natural materials highlight their potential adhesive capabilities for fast fingerprint viewing. In this study we used a non-porous surfaces like smartphone screen, white ceramic plate for the background for developing and visualization of the fingerprint impression. Among the various powders used, betel leaf powder and turmeric powder emerged as a promising material for the detecting the latent fingerprints. The productiveness of charcoal powder was also magnificent. orange peel powers and beetroot powder have been delineated to be poor fingerprint powder. The purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of using these natural powders in forensic investigations, as well as to emphasize their contributions to sustainable and ecologically conscientious crime scene analyses. This research opens doors for further exploration of unconventional, safe, and affordable fingerprint powder.