Quantifying the Effect of Seasonal Variations on the Latent Fingerprint Residues Through Photoluminescence Spectroscopy

Abstract

Perspiration fluctuates with the season. Body mass, humidity, temperature, and other factors affect perspiration. Due to higher temperatures, warmer seasons produce more perspiration in the individuals which is the opposite with colder seasons. Seasonal perspiration regulates body temperature in different climates. Due to seasonal and environmental factors, fingerprint residues are subject to variations. Photoluminescence and UV-VIS spectroscopy were used to evaluate fingerprint residues and their response with respect to seasonal variations. To test the hypothesis, 1600 latent fingerprint residues were collected under various conditions spanning the summer and winter seasons cycle for a year. The collected samples were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) light from 200nm to 1600nm to examine their absorption spectra. Further, their fluorescence intensities were measured using photoluminescence spectroscopy. The research's positive outcomes demonstrate that photoluminescence spectroscopy may accurately detect seasonal resonances on latent fingerprint residues, which can be termed seasonal markers.