Nanoparticles used for fingermark detection—A comprehensive review

Abstract

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used in numerous fields such as medicine, imaging, and electronics to cite just a few. In forensic science, NPs have been researched specifically for the detection of fingermarks. Their small size, surface functionalization ability, and luminescence properties can potentially lead to better resolution, increased sensitivity, and selectivity. This paper offers an extensive review of the various NP types investigated over the past three decades. NPs are sorted into seven categories, namely metal, metal oxide, quantum dots (QDs), carbon dots (C‐dots), silica (SiO 2 ), and upconverters NPs (UCNPs) as well as a miscellaneous section. Each type is discussed in details from a critical viewpoint. The most promising NP types are also identified. This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Fingermarks and Other Marks