Novel Safranin-Tinted Candida rugosa Lipase Nanoconjugates Reagent for Visualizing Latent Fingerprints on Stainless Steel Knives Immersed in a Natural Outdoor Pond.

Aida Azman,Fazira Abdul Razak,Hafezul Hamzah,Naji Mahat,Roswanira Abdul Wahab

doi:10.3390/ijms19061576

Aida Azman, Fazira Abdul Razak + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061576

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Abstract

Waterways are popular locations for the disposition of criminal evidence because the recovery of latent fingerprints from such evidence is difficult. Currently, small particle reagent is a method often used to visualize latent fingerprints containing carcinogenic and hazardous compounds. This study proposes an eco-friendly, safranin-tinted Candida rugosa lipase (triacylglycerol ester hydrolysis EC 3.1.1.3) with functionalized carbon nanotubes (CRL-MWCNTS/GA/SAF) as an alternative reagent to the small particle reagent. The CRL-MWCNTS/GA/SAF reagent was compared with the small particle reagent to visualize groomed, full fingerprints deposited on stainless steel knives which were immersed in a natural outdoor pond for 30 days. The quality of visualized fingerprints using the new reagent was similar (modified-Centre for Applied Science and Technology grade: 4; p > 0.05) to small particle reagent, even after 15 days of immersion. Despite the slight decrease in quality of visualized fingerprints using the CRL-MWCNTS/GA/SAF on the last three immersion periods, the fingerprints remained forensically identifiable (modified-Centre for Applied Science and Technology grade: 3). The possible chemical interactions that enabled successful visualization is also discussed. Thus, this novel reagent may provide a relatively greener alternative for the visualization of latent fingerprints on immersed non-porous objects.

Highlights

The uniqueness of fingerprints is attributed to their individual characteristics, persistency, and systematic classifications of general ridge patterns [1]
This paper explores the feasibility of using safranin-tinted Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) nanoconjugates reagent (CRL immobilized onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), glutaraldehyde (GA) and safranin T (SAF)) (CRL-MWCNTs/GA/SAF) for visualizing latent fingerprints on stainless steel knives
The safranin-tinted CRL nanoconjugates reagent produced good quality and contrast of visualized fingerprints that were comparable with Small particle reagent (SPR), even at an immersion period of 15 days

Summary

Introduction

The uniqueness of fingerprints is attributed to their individual characteristics, persistency, and systematic classifications of general ridge patterns [1]. The use of fingerprints is important as forensic evidence for human identification, especially during crime investigations [2]. Latent fingerprints are prints that are hidden to the naked eye and, require the use of visualization methods [1]. Fingerprints are composed of a mixture of natural secretions from eccrine and sebaceous glands as well as extrinsic constituents, e.g., bacteria spores, dust, and cosmetics [3]. Eccrine glands secrete water (comprising more than 90% of gland secretions) as well as organic (e.g., amino acids) and inorganic (e.g., sodium and potassium) compounds [3]. Sebaceous glands primarily secrete lipids such as fatty acids and squalene [3,4,5]

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