Kerala University Researchers Develop Nanomaterial to Reveal Hidden Fingerprints Under UV Light

Researchers at the University of Kerala have developed a new nanomaterial-based technique that could help forensic investigators detect faint fingerprints that are difficult to see on certain surfaces.

The development, reported on November 2, 2026, involves a patented preparation method for a rare-earth-based compound that emits red light when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The material could improve the visibility of latent fingerprints, which are often invisible to the naked eye.

The research was led by Dr. Sam Solomon from the university's Department of Optoelectronics, alongside research scholar Divya Vijayan.

The technique uses a nanophosphor, a material made of extremely small particles that emit visible light when stimulated by a particular energy source.

When applied to a surface containing suspected fingerprint residue, the particles interact with the deposited material. Under UV illumination, the compound produces a characteristic red glow, making fingerprint ridge patterns easier to examine.

According to the researchers, the material offers two potential advantages. Its excitation wavelength is compatible with commercially available UV lamps, while its nanoscale particles can adhere to the fine details of fingerprint impressions.

This could be particularly useful when conventional fingerprint development techniques produce weak or incomplete results.

The team spent approximately six months developing the preparation method, testing different compositions and examining the material's structural and light-emitting properties.

Importantly, the patent covers the process used to prepare the compound rather than the compound itself.

For forensic laboratories, the research could offer another approach to developing latent fingerprints during crime scene examinations and laboratory analysis.

However, the technique is still undergoing development. Its performance across different surfaces, environmental conditions, and fingerprint ages has not yet been independently established.

The researchers plan to explore commercial applications and seek independent testing by forensic science laboratories before the method can be considered for routine investigative use.

If further validation confirms its effectiveness, the technique could expand the options available to fingerprint examiners when recovering difficult-to-detect impressions.