Fluorescent quantum dots as labeling agents for the effective detection of latent fingerprints on various surfaces

For molecular and cellular labeling, imaging, sensing, and medical diagnostics, there is a need of excellent luminescent semiconducting materials. Among the various reported nanomaterials, quantum dot-based materials have attracted the researchers due to their excellent optical properties. Luminescence properties of quantum dots, such as size tunable luminescence, broad excitation energy range, and narrow and symmetric emission profile, made them special. This chapter focuses on the chemical compositions as well as the influencing factors to deliver a qualitative and quantitative review of all compounds identified in fingerprints residue. A case study of various quantum dots reported and their other properties are briefed to use them effectively for fingerprints analysis up to a better resolved sweat pores i.e., level-III. The technique involved in the fingerprints visualization depends on the nanochemistry of quantum dots, showed high sensitivity with less background interference and better contrast compare to other approaches. Various development techniques followed for latent fingerprints visualization and their limitations are also broadly discussed. Some of the reported real-time fluorescence in situ visualization techniques using quantum dots are summarized and concluded that the reader gets the comprehensive information on the present research and its future pathways concerning the use of quantum dots in fingerprints analysis.