Nanoparticles as fingermark sensors

Abstract This review focuses on the application of nanoparticles in the development of latent fingermark as sensor and their advantages with respect to the quality of fingerprint after development. The use of nanoparticles in forensic science is an actively developing area of research. The advantages and disadvantages of all the techniques as well as the types of nanoparticles developed so far has been discussed in detail including the metal nanoparticles (gold & silver nanoparticles), metal oxide nanoparticles (zinc oxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, europium oxide, aluminum & iron oxide, quantum dots, carbon dots, silica nanoparticles), nano phosphors and other miscellaneous nanoparticles. The review also discusses about the toxicokinetic properties of the nanoparticles along with the possible remedies to circumvent its side effects. Fingermark is considered to be noteworthy evidence in forensic investigations therefore; this review introduces a broad spectrum of knowledge pertaining to the use of nanoparticles in fingermark sensing.