A New Unconventional Powder Method for Development of Latent Fingerprints on Various Surfaces: Kaolin Clay

Fingerprint development methods are one of the earliest techniques used in forensic science for identifying suspects, and they have been practiced for centuries. Fingerprints are one of the most important physical pieces of evidence. Fingerprints come in a variety of forms, including latent, plastic, and visible. The majority of the time, random fingerprint impressions are found at the site of a crime during a criminal investigation. Since these prints are usually undetectable, a variety of development techniques are needed. The powder dusting method of fingerprint development includes the use of a brush to apply fine powder to the impression of the print. Current research on fingerprint development uses Kaolin Clay as an alternative to expensive commercial powders. Kaolin Clay is cheap, safe, eco-friendly, and easy to find. It was tested on twenty-four carefully chosen surfaces due to its frequent presence at crime scenes.