Harnessing volatile luminescent lanthanide complexes to visualise latent fingermarks on nonporous surfaces

Abstract

Two commercially-available terbium and europium complexes, EuFOD and TbTMHD, provide luminescent visualisation of latent fingermarks placed on nonporous surfaces via sublimation. This is demonstrated using UV radiation from a forensic light source. The method was optimised on metal foil, with other archetypal nonporous surfaces (i.e. glass, ceramic) also suited to this method.