Time-Resolved Detection of Fingermarks on Non-Porous and Semi-Porous Substrates Using Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, Dy3+ Phosphors

Abstract

Eu2+, Dy3+ co-doped strontium-magnesium silicate phosphors, Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, Dy3+ (SMSEDs), have shown great potential in optoelectronic device due to their unique luminescent property. However, their potential applications in forensic science, latent fingermark detection in particular, are still being investigated. In this contribution, SMSEDs were successfully employed to latent fingermarks on a variety of non-porous and semi-porous surfaces, including aluminum foil, porcelain, glass, painted wood, colored paper, and leather. All the results illustrated that this luminescent powder, as a long-lasting phosphorescence material (LLP), was an ideal time-resolved detection reagent of fingermark for elimination of background interferences from various difficult substrates, and offered a good contrast to allow their identification without the need to enhance the results compared to nanosized organic fluorescent powder.