Ground-breaking fingerprint detection technology discovered by two UTS honours students was demonstrated at the 20th International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences in Sydney recently.
Current methods for visualising fingerprints on paper are labour-intensive and time-consuming, using toxic dyes and chemicals to stain the fingerprints or make them fluorescent. The Thermal Fingerprint Developer, as the name suggests, uses heat to develop the fingerprint in a matter of seconds. "This technology has the potential to be used right there at the crime scene, saving critical time as well as resources," said UniQuest's UTS-based Manager of Innovation and Commercial Development, Dr Michael Manion.

Daniel Sommerville and Adam Brown of UTS

"It could also be developed into high-throughput models for the rapid analysis of large sample numbers, such as volumes of documents, to help investigators working on 'white-collar' crimes like fraud and embezzlement."

The Thermal Fingerprint Developer is a simpler, safer and more economical method for developing fingerprint images. Discovered by UTS students Adam Brown and Daniel Sommerville, the technology was further developed by Dr Brian Reedy and his team at UTS's Centre for Forensic Science.

Other advantages of this innovation are that sensitive evidence need not be destroyed in the thermal stage of the process, and it supports existing techniques for fingerprint development, such as the use of ninhydrin subsequent to the thermal development process. A prototype has been developed with UK-based Foster & Freeman Ltd, which supplies scientific instruments to police and forensic laboratories internationally. UTS research commercialisation partner, UniQuest, facilitated a patent application and the licence agreement.

UniQuest has fielded enquiries from a range of interested parties, including law enforcement departments in Australia and the US, traditional forensic laboratories, defence services and homeland security agencies. Organisations involved with clandestine forensics such as the FBI, ASIO and CIA have also expressed interest and are among the potential customers.

For details of all UTS courses available to international students, including science and forensics courses, see www.uts.edu.au/international
Extract from an article by Terry Clinton
Full article can be found at:
www.newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2010/09/uts-fingerprint-technology-put-to-the-test
UTS CRICOS Provider Code: 00099F
Source: David Samuel, Australian Trade Commission, Colombo-Sri Lanka
e-mail: David.Samuel@austrade.gov.au