Many of us are fascinated by the tv show CSI and the processes they use to catch criminals. Unfortunately, we are often told by those who work in the forensic industry, that the reality is very different to what happens on the show. Well, not for long!
For the past year, we have been working with the University of Sunderland in the UK and the Victoria Police Forensic Services Department (VPFSD) to get some new fingerprint nanopowders that have recently been developed. These fingerprint powders, developed by Professor Fred Rowell of Sunderland University have been altered using nanoparticles in such a way that they produce fingerprints with much higher resolution and detail than normal fingerprint powders currently in use.
The new powders are coated with specially engineered molecules, which are repelled by water and attracted to oil. So they will actually seek out and fix tightly to the fingerprint.
However, this is only the beginning of this new forensic technology. The producers of the powders intend for it to go much further than existing technology; not only will the powders define fingerprints in greater detail, they can also detect the presence of products such as cocaine, nicotine, antidepressants, sleeping tablets etc, define gender and even harvest tiny amounts of skin tissue for DNA analysis.
Finally, real life catches up with CSI!
Nick Cumbo | 05-Oct-06 at 12:01 pm | Permalink
Hi there Roberto.
Just wanted to congratulate you on your first blog post
This site is a very interesting way to learn about what’s happening within your workplace.
It makes me wonder about the environental applications of nano-technology also.
Goodbye for now, Nick
James Chin | 09-Apr-07 at 12:27 pm | Permalink
very interesting site!