Maximal visualization-enhancement of latent fingermarks on polymer banknotes using columnar thin films

TL;DR

This paper introduces a single-step vacuum process using nickel columnar thin films to maximally enhance fingermark visualization on polymer banknotes, improving forensic detection regardless of mark age.

Contribution

The study presents a novel, efficient vacuum technique with nickel CTFs that significantly improves fingermark visualization on polymer banknotes compared to existing methods.

Findings

Maximal enhancement of fingermarks achieved with the new method.

Effective on aged fingermarks up to seven days old.

Progresses beyond current multi-step enhancement techniques.

Abstract

Polymer banknotes are being increasingly adopted to replace older banknotes. Since banknotes are forensically important substrates for fingermark detection and identification, we present a single-step process to enhance the visualization of fingermarks on banknotes using columnar thin films (CTFs) of nickel. This single-step vacuum technique enhances the quality grade of fingermarks maximally, whether the fingermarks are aged for one or seven days before CTF deposition. This work represents progress over currently available sequences of diverse techniques for enhancing fingermarks on polymer banknotes.