In Situ Interactions of Eu(TTA)3(H2O)2 with Latent Fingermark Components-A Time-Gated Visualization of Latent Fingermarks on Paper.

Abstract

We introduce a new latent fingermark (LFM) development method, where compounds showing long lifetime luminescence are generated in situ by the reactions of Eu(TTA)3(H2O)2 with LFM components. Until now, time-gated imaging could not be used to develop LFM on porous surfaces due to the difficulties with selective binding of the developing agents to the fingermark ridges. The nature of the interactions of Eu(TTA)3(H2O)2 with the LFM material has been investigated for three model compounds commonly found in the LFM composition-oleic acid, l-serine, and squalene. The LFMs developed with the europium β-diketonate complex have been successfully photographed using a time-gated imaging scheme. The presented new approach has been demonstrated to give similar or better results than developing agents commonly used for paper samples (ninhydrin and 1,2-indanedione). Moreover, contrary to the methods mentioned above, the new approach allows for the development of amino acid-poor LFM on paper.