Incorporating hydrogels into fingermark development: indicative viscosities for preserving ridge detail on paper surfaces

• DOI: 10.1039/d2ay01683d
• Publication Date: 2022-10-19T22:21:11Z
• Authors: Kristen T. Clarke; Scarlet L. Hopkins; William J. Gee
• Keywords: Technology; Chemistry; Science & Technology; Viscosity; Physical Sciences; Hydrogels; Starch; Analytical; Dermatoglyphics; Forensic chemistry; Analytical chemistry; Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Water-based fingermark development treatments for paper have long been held back by loss of ridge detail due to diffusion. Viscous hydrogels (≥2224 cP) show promise as a green method delivering chemical developers that inhibits diffusion, thereby preserving detail. This is demonstrated here with starch and xanthan gum applied iodine-fumed fingermarks.