Fingermark visualisation on uncirculated £5 (Bank of England) polymer notes: Initial process comparison studies

Downham, Rory; Brewer, Eleigh R.; King, Roberto S.P.; Luscombe, Aoife; Sears, Vaughn G.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.02.026

Cited by 20 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Given the improving capabilities of both current and emerging UCNP materials, coupled with the recognition of NIRemissive powders as the superior method for overcoming troublesome surfaces, [105] the arrival of the next generation of Ln materials tailored to forensic applications appears to be imminent.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Trends Concerning Upconversion Nanoparticles and Near-IR Emissive Lanthanide Materials in the Context of Forensic Applications

Gee¹

2019

Aust. J. Chem.

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Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are materials that, upon absorbing multiple photons of low energy (e.g. infrared radiation), subsequently emit a single photon of higher energy, typically within the visible spectrum. The physics of these materials have been the subject of detailed investigations driven by the potential application of these materials as medical imaging devices. One largely overlooked application of UCNPs is forensic science, wherein the ability to produce visible light from infrared light sources would result in a new generation of fingerprint powders that circumvent background interference which can be encountered with visible and ultraviolet light sources. Using lower energy, infrared radiation would simultaneously improve the safety of forensic practitioners who often employ light sources in less than ideal locations. This review article covers the development of UCNPs, the use of infrared radiation to visualise fingerprints by the forensic sciences, and the potential benefits of applying UCNP materials over current approaches.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Trends Concerning Upconversion Nanoparticles and Near-IR Emissive Lanthanide Materials in the Context of Forensic Applications

Gee¹

2019

Aust. J. Chem.

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“…Although polymer banknotes were first introduced in Australia in 1988 5 , the transition into UK currency now necessitates the development of appropriate techniques to allow for fingermark recovery. This has been described as of ‘critical importance to the investigation of crime’ 6 . The polymeric material, bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), is a non-porous substrate with several advantages for use within currency, including; increased counterfeiting resilience, cleanliness and strength 7 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently in the UK, conventional FETs employed on paper banknotes include DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one) and ninhydrin 4 , 9 . As these techniques are more suited for porous surfaces, they have proven to be ineffective in developing fingermarks deposited on polymer varieties 6 . Polymer banknotes used in Australia and Canada share the same base material, BOPP, as the BoE £5 polymer banknote 10 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research has demonstrated successful development of fingermarks using vacuum metal deposition (VMD) 11 and cyanoacrylate fuming (CAF) 12 , 13 . In particular, it has been observed that there are significant differences in fingermark recovery from specific areas of polymer notes, such as; the transparent security window (whereby CAF was observed to be most effective) 13 and the opaque sections of the note (whereby VMD processing provided better fingermark development) 6 , 12 , 13 . However, differences in inks, opacifying layers, coatings and security features between notes derived from different countries may also have an effect on the success of the conventional FETs 6 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent research on fingermarks deposited onto uncirculated BoE £5 polymer banknotes conducted by Downham et al . 6 showed that multi-metal deposition (MMD) and powder suspensions were among the most effective FETs. It was also determined that CAF and VMD were relatively ineffective, an interesting observation as these techniques are generally considered to be amongst the most effective for marks deposited onto semi-porous and non-porous substrates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The analysis of latent fingermarks on polymer banknotes using MALDI-MS

Scotcher¹,

Bradshaw²

2018

Sci Rep

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In September 2016, the UK adopted a new Bank of England (BoE) £5 polymer banknote, followed by the £10 polymer banknote in September 2017. They are designed to be cleaner, stronger and have increased counterfeit resilience; however, fingermark development can be problematic from the polymer material as various security features and coloured/textured areas have been found to alter the effectiveness of conventional fingermark enhancement techniques (FETs). As fingermarks are one of the most widely used forms of identification in forensic cases, it is important that maximum ridge detail be obtained in order to allow for comparison. This research explores the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) profiling and imaging for the analysis of fingermarks deposited on polymer banknotes. The proposed methodology was able to obtain both physical and chemical information from fingermarks deposited in a range of scenarios including; different note areas, depletion series, aged samples and following conventional FETs. The analysis of forensically important molecular targets within these fingermarks was also explored, focussing specifically on cocaine. The ability of MALDI-MS to provide ridge detail and chemical information highlights the forensic applicability of this technique and potential for the analysis of fingermarks deposited onto this problematic surface.

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The Chicken and the Egg: Research and Innovation Within Forensic Science

King

2024

Driving Forensic Innovation in the 21st Century

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Fingermark visualisation on uncirculated £5 (Bank of England) polymer notes: Initial process comparison studies

Cited by 20 publications

References 13 publications

Recent Trends Concerning Upconversion Nanoparticles and Near-IR Emissive Lanthanide Materials in the Context of Forensic Applications

Recent Trends Concerning Upconversion Nanoparticles and Near-IR Emissive Lanthanide Materials in the Context of Forensic Applications

The analysis of latent fingermarks on polymer banknotes using MALDI-MS

The Chicken and the Egg: Research and Innovation Within Forensic Science

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