This review paper focuses on the application of forensic science in latent fingerprint detection by the usage of distinct nanomaterials and their benefits with respect to the quality of fingerprint images. The advantages and important results of studies conducted on latent fingerprint detection with various nanomaterials which include metal nanoparticles, metallic oxide nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots, carbon dots, polymer dots, fluorescent silica nanoparticles, fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles, fluorescent silica nanoparticles, conjugated-polyelectrolyte dots, aggregation–induced emission luminogens molecule incorporated nanomaterials and uncommon earth fluorescence nanoparticles are critically discussed. Some of the nanomaterials employed for latent fingerprint detection did not result in good quality fingerprint images and these disadvantages are highlighted. More studies are therefore needed to improve the latent fingerprint detection abilities of nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials for latent fingerprint detection: a review

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in fingerprint and bodily impression sciences from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20 Review%20 Papers%202019. pdf.

Interpol review of fingermarks and other body impressions 2016-2019.

Nanoparticles used for fingermark detection—A comprehensive review

There is evidence that the use of fingerprints for the identification of an individual, either for civil or criminal purposes, has been considered in some form for over 2000 years (Barnes, 2011). The comparison of a mark left by an individual at a crime scene with sets of reference prints taken under controlled conditions is a cornerstone of forensic investigation, first being proposed in 1880 (Faulds, 1880). Following the generation of classification systems for fingermark patterns (Galton, 1892) and filing systems enabling databases to be searched (Henry, 1901), fingerprint comparison and identification has been successfully employed for over 120 years. The fact that fingerprint patterns are ‘unique’ (to the best of scientific knowledge) and persistent throughout life makes them a powerful identification tool. Indeed, the term ‘fingerprint’ is widely used across many other branches of science to describe something that is characteristic and easily distinguished from (e.g.) spectra of other nominally similar substances.
In criminal investigations the focus is on locating marks that may have been left by the suspect at the crime scene. These can be of three principal types; a positive mark where material is transferred from the fingertip to the surface, a negative mark where the fingertip removes material (e.g. dust) from the surface, or a ‘plastic’ mark where the fingertip leaves a permanent impression in a soft substance such as putty. The classification of a positive mark can be further divided into a ‘patent’ mark where the material transferred is readily visible to the eye (e.g. mud, ink), or a ‘latent’ mark where the material transferred cannot typically be readily seen by eye and needs further enhancement to be seen.
The chemistry of the material transferred from the finger to the surface is important to the visualisation of the contact trace. This is because chemical substances present can be utilised by a range of processes that either convert a latent mark into one that is visible or assist in further enhancing the pre-existing detail in a patent mark. The chemical development of fingermarks was observed as early as the 1860s (Quinche & Margot, 2010) and was already being explored in a more focused way in the 1920s (Mitchell, 1920), with a range of chemical processes targeting different constituents being proposed for use. 
This review will focus on the material that is ultimately transferred from the fingertip to the surface to form a fingermark. It will consider how this highly complex chemistry can be utilised by a wide range of chemical reagents, and by advanced analytical techniques in combination with imaging capabilities, to reveal the fingermark ridge detail and additional information contained within it.

The forensic exploitation of fingermark chemistry: A review

This systematic review deals with the last 10 years of research in analytical methodologies for the analysis of fingerprints, regarding their chemical and biological constituents. A total of 123 manuscripts, which fit the search criteria defined using the descriptor "latent fingermarks analysis," were selected. Its main instrumental areas (mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and innovative methods) were analyzed and summarized in a specific table, highlighting its main analytical parameters. The results show that most studies in this field use mass spectrometry to identify the constituents of fingerprints, both to determine the chemical profile and for aging. There is also a marked use of mass spectrometry coupled with chromatographic methods, and it provides accurate results for a fatty acid profile. Additional significant results are achieved by spectroscopic methods, mainly Raman and infrared. It is noteworthy that spectroscopic methods using microscopy assist in the accuracy of the analyzed region of the fingerprint, contributing to more robust results. There was also a significant increase in studies using methods focused on finding new developers or identifying components present in fingerprints by rapid tests. This systematic review of analytical techniques applied to the detection of fingerprints explores different approaches to contribute to future studies in forensic identification, verifying new demands in the forensic sciences and assisting in the selection of studies for the progress of research.

Methodologies Applied to Fingerprint Analysis

Measuring the water content in freshly-deposited fingermarks.

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Measuring the water content in freshly-deposited fingermarks.