Multi-channel NIR/SWIR Lanthanide Nanoprobe for Forensic Gender Identification of Fingerprints

Abstract Fingerprints play vital roles in modern forensic investigations by providing essential personal information. To maximize the efficiency of forensic investigations, highly efficacious protocols are urgently needed for fingerprint capture and information extraction. Herein, a novel L-amino acids (L-AA)-responsive nanoprobe was rationally designed and constructed with orthogonal near-infrared (NIR) and short wave infrared (SWIR) emissions. Due to the difference in L-AA content in fingerprints between males and females, effective gender identification is also practicable by analysing the NIR/SWIR luminescence ratio. More importantly, by utilizing adhesive L-AA on latent fingerprints as a target, simultaneous washing-free NIR/SWIR ratiometric luminescence imaging and forensic gender identification of latent fingerprints are achieved with not only high spatial resolution but advanced precision. Our findings provide a new strategy for the development of a new generation of nanoprobes for simple washing-free fingerprint imaging and valid forensic gender identification.