Imagine a crime scene. Perhaps you are imagining someone having their fingerprints taken.in spite of recent discussions Although it helps determine whether fingerprint evidence is accurate and reliable, it can still prove very useful in certain situations, such as narrowing down a list of potential suspects. Unfortunately, this technique often uses toxic powders such as environmentally harmful petrochemicals that can damage DNA evidence.
[Related: The racist history behind using biology in criminology.]
This could change in the future thanks to a collaboration between scientists from the University of Bath in the UK and Shanghai Normal University in China. In a new study published in Journal of the American Chemical Society, researchers laid out claims for a new method to remove latent fingerprints. Water-based sprays are not only safer and faster, but also easier to test thanks to their glow-in-the-dark ability.
It all started with a tip from a jellyfish.
For millions of years, many of these marine invertebrates contain green fluorescent protein (GFP), which fluoresces under certain lighting conditions. Knowing this, the team created his two different pigments, LFP-Yellow and LFP-Red, based on proteins found in jellyfish. His LFP-Yellow and LFP-Red, which stands for “latent fingerprint,” are applied using a simple spray bottle and selectively bind to negatively charged molecules within a fingerprint. Once the dye is applied to the remaining print, it will begin to glow under blue light in just 10 seconds.
Interestingly, the solution is only “weakly fluorescent” before being applied to the LFP, according to University of Bath researcher Luling Wu. recent profile. The pigment only shines brightly when it interacts with amino acids produced by the fat, sebum and sweat in your fingerprints.
Because it’s applied as a fine mist, forensic examiners don’t have to worry about droplets that can disturb prints. It also avoids the mess associated with frequent spraying of toxic powders and is effective on rough surfaces like concrete and brick.
In the future, the researchers hope to commercialize a less harmful solution and increase the number of fluorescent colors so that it can be used on a wider range of surfaces. Forensic analysts may not believe that fingerprint evidence is as strong as it used to be, but alternative detection methods may allow them to collect fingerprints more accurately and safely. Moreover, by doing so, there is no risk of damaging nearby, more sought-after DNA clues.
