Cobaltite nanoparticles synthesis for improved fingerprint visualization on porous, semi-porous and non-porous surfaces

Fingerprints are one the most crucial evidences found at most of the crime scenes. Present article reports the synthesis of nickel cobaltite (NCO) nanoparticles using combustion method and their application for enhanced latent fingerprint (LFP) development on various surfaces. Phase purity of synthesized nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Synthesized NCO nanoparticles possess smaller crystallite size (~8nm). Due to this small crystallite size good clarity and fine details have been obtained in the developed fingerprints which allows to analyse up to third level classification. NCO nanoparticles were used for non-porous, semi-porous and porous surfaces to develop the latent fingerprints and have demonstrated superior fingerprint visualization and preservation. Current study also highlights the enhanced resolution of ridge characteristics and pore structure, paving the path to more accurate forensic fingerprint analysis. This paper also discussed and demonstrated that all the features of LFP are preserved in lifted fingerprints developed using NCO nanoparticle and also discussed the comparison of LFP features and characteristics developed using commercially used fingerprint powder and NCO nanoparticle. Detailed fingerprint analysis is performed using stereomicroscope of LFP developed on various surfaces for the measurement of average pore size, pore shape, pore density, density of NCO powder attached to sweat, minor details and ridge characteristics.