Dr. Kang Liang, a scientist from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia, came home and found out that his house had been robbed. When officials dusted the crime scene for fingerprints and couldn't find any, it inspired the scientist to "science" his way out of the blue.
Liang developed a new fingerprinting technique that can lead to the future of crime scene investigations (CSI) worldwide: glowing fingerprints.
The CSI technique uses a liquid solution laced with metal organic framework crystals that can be applied to solid objects being tested. After applying a few drops and simply waiting 30 seconds, ultraviolet light, will make the fingerprints glow so bright forensic teams won't miss it.
The 'glowing fingerprints' offer more detailed fingerprints in high resolution. The process only takes seconds to produce a single fingerprint, which can be crucial in CSI. This quick technique will enable teams to run the fingerprints on their database to produce real-time results. Liang's idea struck him when the police used a century-old CSI method to dust his Victorian home for fingerprints to no avail.
"This led me to think, why can't I apply the material I work with everyday on the spot? It worked and revealed the fingerprint, on the spot, in 30 seconds. It was very simple," said Liang.
Liang's team has been working with metal organic framework crystals for years and they found that the material stick to fingerprint residue quickly. Finger mark includes pectines, salts, proteins and fatty acids. When the crystals make contact with these components, they create a thin coating that replicates the fingerprints in great detail. The technique works well on non-porous materials such as metal, plastic and glass. The solution doesn't work yet on porous materials, such as paper, but Liang and his team are currently studying on how to come up with a method that can be applied on porous surfaces.
"It was kind of an inspirational thing ... It was unfortunate I got broken into but the good thing is that I came out with something that might help fight crime and help police," added Liang.
CSIRO is hoping to work with police and forensic experts in Australia to help improve CSI techniques. Liang and his team published their study in the Advanced Materials journal on Oct. 19.
