Evaluation of the multimetal deposition process for fingermark enhancement in simulated operational environments

Abstract

Multimetal deposition is a fingermark development process that has been adapted from colloidal gold labelling used for biological applications. It has been identified as having particular potential for the development of fingermarks on cling film wrapping materials, where currently used processes have very low success rates. This paper focuses on exploring whether multimetal deposition continues to be effective when the cling film surface is exposed to simulated operational conditions including exposure to drugs contamination, immersion in water and physical distortion. The results indicate that multimetal deposition continues to develop fingermarks after such exposure and there are potential benefits in implementing the process more widely.