Functionalised silicon oxide nanoparticles for fingermark detection

Abstract

Over the past decade, the use of nanotechnology for fingermark detection has been attracting a lot of attention. A substantial number of nanoparticle types has thus been studied and applied with varying success. However, despite all efforts, few publications present clear supporting evidence of their superiority over standard and commonly used techniques. This paper focuses on a rarely studied type of nanoparticles that regroups all desired properties for effective fingermark detection: silicon oxide. These nanoparticles offer optical and surface properties that can be tuned to provide optimal detection. This study explores their potential as a new method for fingermark detection. Detection conditions, outer functionalisations and optical properties were optimised and a first evaluation of the technique is presented. Dye-doped silicon oxide nanoparticles were assessed against a one-step luminescent cyanoacrylate. Both techniques were compared on natural fingermarks from three donors collected on four different non-porous substrates. On average, the two techniques performed similarly but silicon oxide detected marks with a better homogeneity and was less affected by donor inter-variability. The technique remains to be further optimised and yet silicon oxide nanoparticles already show great promises for effective fingermark detection.

Nanoparticles used for fingermark detection—A comprehensive review

“…To make optimum use of SiO 2 NPs for fingermark detection, all the three desirable properties of size, dye encapsulation, and surface functionalization must be exploited. But, out of the 20 publications reviewed, there were only four publications (20% of the total)—two from the same author—that utilized all three properties (Moret et al, , p. 26 & Moret et al, , p. 20). Only nine publications used SiO 2 based particles that were in the NP size regime, that is, particle diameters less than 100 nm; five publications reported SiO 2 particles that were more than 100 nm in size, and six publications claimed to use SiO 2 NPs but did not mentioned particle size.…”

Monodisperse silica nanoparticle suspension for developing latent blood fingermarks

“…In recent years, nanomaterials have become popular for latent fingermark development [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Nanomaterials can bind to amino acids, fatty acids or water-soluble substances in fingermarks by physical adsorption or chemical reaction.…”

“…Based on the photoluminescence phenomenon of nanomaterials, clear images of fingermarks can be obtained [23][24][25]. At present, research efforts have focused largely on quantum dot nanomaterials, semiconductor nanocrystals and rare earth nanomaterials [17,18,26]. Although these nanomaterials are effective and convenient for fingermark development, they contain toxic heavy metals or fluorescent dyes that are harmful to the human body [4,27,28].…”

Evaluation of Nile Red‐Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Developing Water‐Soaked Fingerprints on Thermal Paper

“…The silica particles have been widely used for latent fingerprints enhancement (24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have large surface areas and porous interiors that can be used as reservoirs for storing hydrophobic or hydrophilic molecules (29).…”