Rare earth based latent fingerprint detection

This thesis describes two methods for the chemical detection of latent fingerprints on both smooth and porous surfaces via rare earth complexes. Rare earth complexes have been utilized for several years in the detection of latent fingerprints, due to their long luminescence lifetimes and large Stokes shifts. However, the methods generally used have relied on a relatively nonspecific physical adhesion of the rare earth complex to the fingerprint, and thus are typically not useful in development of latent fingerprints on most difficult surfaces. Two chemically specific latent fingerprint methods which detect lipid and amino acid constituents will be detailed here.