Novel safranin-tinted Candida rugosa lipase nanoconjugates reagent for visualizing latent fingerprints on stainless steel knives immersed in a natural outdoor pond

• Main Authors: Azman, A. R., Mahat, N. A., Wahab, R. A., Razak, F. I. A., Hamzah, H. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018
• Subjects: QD Chemistry
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/79885/1/AidaRasyidahAzman2018_NovelSafraninTintedCandidaRugosa.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/79885/; http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms19061576
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Waterways are popular locations for the disposition of criminal evidence because the recovery of latent fingerprints from such evidence is difficult. Currently, small particle reagent is a method often used to visualize latent fingerprints containing carcinogenic and hazardous compounds. This study proposes an eco-friendly, safranin-tinted Candida rugosa lipase (triacylglycerol ester hydrolysis EC 3.1.1.3) with functionalized carbon nanotubes (CRL-MWCNTS/GA/SAF) as an alternative reagent to the small particle reagent. The CRL-MWCNTS/GA/SAF reagent was compared with the small particle reagent to visualize groomed, full fingerprints deposited on stainless steel knives which were immersed in a natural outdoor pond for 30 days. The quality of visualized fingerprints using the new reagent was similar (modified-Centre for Applied Science and Technology grade: 4; p > 0.05) to small particle reagent, even after 15 days of immersion. Despite the slight decrease in quality of visualized fingerprints using the CRL-MWCNTS/GA/SAF on the last three immersion periods, the fingerprints remained forensically identifiable (modified-Centre for Applied Science and Technology grade: 3). The possible chemical interactions that enabled successful visualization is also discussed. Thus, this novel reagent may provide a relatively greener alternative for the visualization of latent fingerprints on immersed non-porous objects.