Rupa Patel

Bio: Rupa Patel is an academic researcher from University of Hertfordshire. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fingerprint (computing). The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 41 citations.

Advances in Fingerprint Technology

Abstract: Fingerprint technology has evolved immensely since its initial use in the 1800s when it was used solely to assist with crime investigations. It is now used as a convenience replacing passwords and PIN numbers from logging into bank accounts, mobile devices, gaining access into rooms and various other processes where time plays a key factor. This chapter focuses on how fingerprint technology can be used to improve speed and accuracy of certain processes, i.e. exams as the society accepts this as part of everyday life. In particular, we look at a use case in an educational setting where youngsters are much used to digital technologies as part of their daily life.

Fluorescent Nanomaterials for the Development of Latent Fingerprints in Forensic Sciences

Abstract: This review presents an overview on the application of latent fingerprint development techniques in forensic sciences. At present, traditional developing methods such as powder dusting, cyanoacrylate fuming, chemical method, and small particle reagent method, have all been gradually compromised given their emerging drawbacks such as low contrast, sensitivity, and selectivity, as well as high toxicity. Recently, much attention has been paid to the use of fluorescent nanomaterials including quantum dots (QDs) and rare earth upconversion fluorescent nanomaterials (UCNMs) due to their unique optical and chemical properties. Thus, this review lays emphasis on latent fingerprint development based on QDs and UCNMs. Compared to latent fingerprint development by traditional methods, the new methods using fluorescent nanomaterials can achieve high contrast, sensitivity, and selectivity while showing reduced toxicity. Overall, this review provides a systematic overview on such methods.

Impact of digital fingerprint image quality on the fingerprint recognition accuracy

Abstract: Despite the large body of work on fingerprint identification systems, most of it focused on using specialized devices. Due to the high price of such devices, some researchers directed their attention to digital cameras as an alternative source for fingerprints images. However, such sources introduce new challenges related to image quality. Specifically, most digital cameras compress captured images before storing them leading to potential losses of information. This study comes to address the need to determine the optimum ratio of the fingerprint image compression to ensure the fingerprint identification system’s high accuracy. This study is conducted using a large in-house dataset of raw images. Therefore, all fingerprint information is stored in order to determine the compression ratio accurately. The results proved that the used software functioned perfectly until a compression ratio of (30–40%) of the raw images; any higher ratio would negatively affect the accuracy of the used system.

Fluorescence Development of Latent Fingerprint with Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles in Aqueous Colloidal Solution

Abstract: Poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) nanoparticles in aqueous colloidal solution have been prepared via a modified Wessling method, with the addition of surfactant. The fluorescent colloidal solution was used as the developing solution to develop the fingerprints on different substrates. The developing process was accomplished simply by immersing the substrates into developing solution and then taking out, followed by rinsing with deionized water. The initial study about the fingerprints on the adhesive tapes showed that the developing solution is very effective in fluorescence development on both fresh and aged visible fingerprints; and such an effect was negligibly affected by treating the fingerprints with water or other organic solvents, whether before developing or after. Further study on latent fingerprints (LFPs) demonstrated that PPV nanoparticles in colloidal solution have high sensitivity in developing fingerprints to give very clearly fluorescent patterns. At least 6 months of storage of the colloid...

Background-free latent fingerprint imaging based on nanocrystals with long-lived luminescence and pH-guided recognition

Abstract: Latent fingerprints (LFPs) are highly specific to individuals, and LFP imaging has played an important role in areas such as forensic investigation and law enforcement. Presently, LFP imaging still faces considerable problems, including background interference and destructive and complex operations. Herein, we have designed a background-free, nondestructive, and easy-to-perform method for LFP imaging based on pH-mediated recognition of LFPs by carboxyl group-functionalized Zn2GeO4:Mn (ZGO:Mn-COOH) persistent luminescence nanorods (PLNRs). By simply adjusting the pH of the ZGO:Mn-COOH colloid dispersion to a certain acidic range, the negatively charged ZGO:Mn-COOH readily binds to protonated fingerprint ridges via electrostatic attraction. The ZGO:Mn-COOH colloid dispersion can be stored in portable commercial spray bottles, and the LFPs have been easily detected in situ by simply dropping the colloid dispersion on the LFPs. Moreover, since the ZGO:Mn-COOH can remain luminescent after excitation ceases, background color and background fluorescence interference were efficiently removed by simply capturing the luminescent LFP images after the excitation ceased. The entire LFP imaging process can be easily conducted without any destructive or complex operations. Due to the great versatility of the developed method for LFP imaging, clear LFP images with well-resolved ridge patterns were obtained. The designed background-free, nondestructive, and easy-to-perform LFP imaging strategy has great potential for future applications, such as forensic investigations and law enforcement.

New Horizons for Ninhydrin: Colorimetric Determination of Gender from Fingerprints

Abstract: In the past century, forensic investigators have universally accepted fingerprinting as a reliable identification method via pictorial comparison. One of the most traditional detection methods uses ninhydrin, a chemical that reacts with amino acids in the fingerprint content to produce the blue-purple color known as Ruhemann’s purple. It has recently been demonstrated that the amino acid content in fingerprints can be used to differentiate between male and female fingerprints. Here, we present a modified approach to the traditional ninhydrin method. This new approach for using ninhydrin is combined with an optimized extraction protocol and the concept of determining gender from fingerprints. In doing so, we are able to focus on the biochemical material rather than exclusively the physical image.