| Posted: May 1, 2008 |
Forensic nanotechnology device detects latent prints on human skin |
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(Nanowerk News) Fingerprints that used to escape detection could soon help point to the killer. Using a field portable system being developed by ChemImage and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, investigators at crime scenes will be able to detect latent prints on human skin.
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The system takes advantage of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based agents to visualize latent prints.
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A team led by Linda Lewis of ORNL's Chemical Sciences Division is working with ChemImage to identify fingerprint components that are SERS active, which involves identifying the fingerprint components that give a Raman emission when using a SERS reagent.
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The ORNL team has identified a novel dielectric nanowire coated with silver as the SERS agent of choice. This material was developed at Naval Research Laboratory.
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The ORNL team is now assisting Naval Research Laboratory with developing a batch processing method for producing highly active silver-coated nanowires to support a robust field method of chemically imaging latent fingerprints. ChemImage, based in Pittsburgh, has a diverse portfolio of chemical imaging technologies and envisions this technology being used by law enforcement agencies nationwide.
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This project is funded by the National Institute of Justice.
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