DNA recovery from latent fingermarks treated with an infrared fluorescent fingerprint powder

Abstract

The effect of the infrared fluorescent fingermark visualisation powder, fpNatural 1TM, on the recovery of both the quantity and quality of touch DNA from fingerprints deposited on glass slides, was investigated using qPCR and STR typing. Four donors each deposited replicate marks, which were either left untreated (n = 5) or treated by dusting with fpNatural 1TM (n = 5). Each sample was swabbed using the double swab technique, before being extracted using the EZNA Forensic DNA kit and then DNA quantitated before being subjected to DNA profile analysis. Results showed that there was no significant effect of fpNatural 1TM on either the quantity or quality of recovered DNA. This suggests that fpNatural 1TM may prove a good choice of powder for regular use at crime scenes or in the laboratory. The fpNatural 1TM properties of low density, water immiscibility and low DNA affinity may account for these positive outcomes.