http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1863665/report-turmeric-powder-to-be-used-in-forsenics
Turmeric powder is now all set to enter the scene of forensic
investigations. According to recent research in the United Kingdom, when
used in a crime scene, turmeric powder enhances the visibility of
invisible or latent fingerprints and helps detect a wide-range of
molecules present in fingerprints needed to trace the accused. While
it’s easy to detect visible fingerprints, latent ones require some means
to enhance their visibility.
The research, which was published in the April issue of journal Analytical Chemistry, also says that turmeric's main ingredient, curcumin, can enhance invisible impressions more effectively than traditional dust powders like aluminum, and florescent or magnet-sensitive powder.
The lead researcher, Dr Simona Francese, told dna, “The Indian herb turmeric works wonders at the crime scene. It is not only a fingermark enhancer but also acts as a chemical to aid the ionisation, detection and visualisation of molecules present in the fingermark, using cutting-edge technology called matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometric (MALDI-MS)imaging.”
Dr Francese, who is also a senior lecturer in the Biomedical Sciences Department at UK's Sheffield Hallam University adds, “We have now started a field trial with the west Yorkshire police.”
When combined with other forensic tests, turmeric powder will give valuable information on the suspect’s activities before committing the crime.
“We dust for fingermarks with curcumin, lift them off the surface and then spray a mist of solvent, enabling the dissolution and crystallisation of curcumin with molecules present in fingermarks while maintaining their spatial localisation,” she elaborates. When sent for analysis, the fingermark ridge pattern will be reconstructed and lipids, proteins, drugs will be detected.
Dr Francese attributes her work to Indian scientist Rakesh Kumar Garg. Prof Garg is head of the forensics department at Punjabi University, Patiala. In 2011, he discovered that turmeric could be used to visualise fingermarks on different surfaces and SHU’s Fingermark Research group took up Garg’s discovery. “We want to include curcumin among other forensic powders that are recommended by the Home Office,” she says.
Research claims, the Indian herb turmeric works wonders at the crime scene.
The research, which was published in the April issue of journal Analytical Chemistry, also says that turmeric's main ingredient, curcumin, can enhance invisible impressions more effectively than traditional dust powders like aluminum, and florescent or magnet-sensitive powder.
The lead researcher, Dr Simona Francese, told dna, “The Indian herb turmeric works wonders at the crime scene. It is not only a fingermark enhancer but also acts as a chemical to aid the ionisation, detection and visualisation of molecules present in the fingermark, using cutting-edge technology called matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometric (MALDI-MS)imaging.”
Dr Francese, who is also a senior lecturer in the Biomedical Sciences Department at UK's Sheffield Hallam University adds, “We have now started a field trial with the west Yorkshire police.”
When combined with other forensic tests, turmeric powder will give valuable information on the suspect’s activities before committing the crime.
“We dust for fingermarks with curcumin, lift them off the surface and then spray a mist of solvent, enabling the dissolution and crystallisation of curcumin with molecules present in fingermarks while maintaining their spatial localisation,” she elaborates. When sent for analysis, the fingermark ridge pattern will be reconstructed and lipids, proteins, drugs will be detected.
Dr Francese attributes her work to Indian scientist Rakesh Kumar Garg. Prof Garg is head of the forensics department at Punjabi University, Patiala. In 2011, he discovered that turmeric could be used to visualise fingermarks on different surfaces and SHU’s Fingermark Research group took up Garg’s discovery. “We want to include curcumin among other forensic powders that are recommended by the Home Office,” she says.
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