Nanocarbon powder for latent fingermark development: a green chemistry approach

Revathi Rajan,Shaharum Shamsuddin,Nik Fakhuruddin Nik Hassan,Yusmazura Zakaria

doi:10.1186/s41935-018-0091-5

Revathi Rajan, Shaharum Shamsuddin + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-018-0091-5

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Abstract

BackgroundOptimal fingermark developing product would have the following attributes; small, rounded and well-dispersed particles, which has high affinity for the fingermark residue but exhibits minimal interaction with the substrate bearing the fingermark. However, most commercial powder formulations still utilise fine particles in the range of 1 to 10 μm.ResultsAgeing of the filtrate from rice husk acid digestion produced amorphous nanocarbon powder (NP) that exhibited non-smooth, slightly irregular spherical particles with a higher degree of agglomeration. Particle size distribution fell in the range of 100 to 500 nm with mean particle size of 300 nm. Molecular bonding and chemical composition of the NP was characterised using spectroscopic techniques. Findings revealed that the nanoparticle powders and reagent performed on par with the existing commercial powders and exhibited higher selectivity. Nanoparticle synthesis from low-cost precursor in this research did not require special equipment, addition of resins or adhesives, or surface passivation.ConclusionNanocarbon powder is exploitable as fingermark developing powder generated from a sustainable source.

Highlights

Optimal fingermark developing product would have the following attributes; small, rounded and well-dispersed particles, which has high affinity for the fingermark residue but exhibits minimal interaction with the substrate bearing the fingermark
Increment in surface area was generated by the reduction in particle size, which increased the amount of molecule binding to the fingermark
X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirms the amorphous nature of the nanocarbon powder (NP), with the absence of any sharp peaks corresponding with crystalline structure

Summary

Introduction

Optimal fingermark developing product would have the following attributes; small, rounded and well-dispersed particles, which has high affinity for the fingermark residue but exhibits minimal interaction with the substrate bearing the fingermark. Most commercial powder formulations still utilise fine particles in the range of 1 to 10 μm. Powdering technique is the most basic and common approach for fingermark development in the crime scene (Becue et al 2011; Yamashita and French 2011). Powder particles adhere to the moist and oily component of the fingermark residue (Champod et al 2004; Choi et al 2008). The size, shape and agglomeration state of the powder particles play a large part in determining the amount of adhesion they have to the fingermark (Wilshire, 1996; Chadwick et al.2012). Most powder formulations are composed of particles of size ranging between 1 and 10 μm (Wilshire, 1996; Sodhi and Kaur, 2001). Commercial black powder commonly contains black iron oxide, rosin, lamp black, fuller’s earth and manganese dioxide which acts as colourant as well as adhesive substance that increases adherence (Goode and Morris, 1983; Lee and Gaensslen, 2012)

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