Published Paper Details:

This review paper examines recent eco-forensic approaches for latent fingerprint development, with particular attention to safer and environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional fingerprint powders. Traditional powders may contain hazardous constituents, including heavy metals, which can pose occupational and ecological risks during routine forensic use. Recent research has therefore focused on non-toxic, biodegradable, agricultural, plant-based, food-derived, biowaste-based, and green-synthesized nanomaterial powders. This review discusses the application of herbal powders, fruit and vegetable peel powders, food-based materials, waste-derived powders, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and fluorescent carbon dots for the visualization of latent fingerprints. Reported studies indicate that many eco-friendly powders can adhere to fingerprint residues and produce clear ridge detail on porous, non-porous, and semi-porous substrates. The review also highlights key challenges, including surface-specific performance, reproducibility, particle-size control, standardization, and the need for wider validation under realistic crime-scene conditions. Overall, the development of fingerprint powders from organic and waste materials supports circular-economy principles by converting low-value residues into useful forensic reagents. Eco-friendly and nanoparticle-assisted powders are presented as safer, cost-effective, and sustainable options for latent fingerprint detection without compromising the reliability of ridge visualization.