Fluorescent polymer nanofibers based on polycaprolactone and dansyl derivatives for development of latent fingerprints

This work provides a convenient low-cost strategy for fast fabrication of dansyl-based fluorescent nanofibers for development of latent fingerprints aiming forensic applications. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and dansyl cadaverine (DnsCad) or dansylglycine (DnsGly) nanofibers are prepared by electrospinning technique and characterized by SEM, FTIR, thermal analysis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The electrospun PCL/DnsCad and PCL/DnsGly nanofibers are fluorescent with greenish blue and yellowish green emission, respectively. Such nanofibers are useful for enhancement of the visual contrast of latent fingerprints on metallic surfaces when exposed to UV light. These findings are particularly important for development of latent fingerprints on cartridge cases.