That classic TV crime drama scene where the plucky forensic scientist dusts for fingerprints may become a thing of the past. Researchers from China’s Zhejiang Univ. in Hangzhou have created a technique that makes fingerprints -- both old and new -- glow in exquisite detail without destroying them.

The method enlists electrochemiluminescence, a phenomenon that causes a chemical solution to light up when hit with an electrical charge.

A fingerprint is pressed onto an electrode that's either in the form of indium tin oxide glass or a stainless steel sheet. The electrode is dipped into a specialized chemical solution. Oils, dirt and other particles in the fingerprint inhibit the electrochemiluminescence reaction, but the reaction could occur in the spaces in between. When a suitable voltage is applied to the electrode, the bare electrode surface, including the fingerprint's grooves, light up and can be imaged using a CCD camera sensor. A different chemical solution that sticks to the amino acids of the fingerprint does the opposite, causing the fingerprint's ridges to light up and not the areas in between.

Read more.

Source: Christina Ortiz, Discovery News