Revenge of the nerd: CSIRO scientist turns CSI after home break-in
After becoming the victim of a home break-in, materials scientist Dr Kang Liang developed a new method for capturing finger prints left at crime scenes.
The CSIRO scientist turned CSI agent has taken crime into his own hands by creating an ultraviolet light to recapture crooks' fingerprints at crime scenes by making them "glow".
The process uses a drop of a liquid containing crystals which is applied to the window frame or glass being tested.
Dr Liang claims the idea came to him while he was watching police using the 100-year-old method of using dust powder to find fingerprints at his Victorian home.
“There are several complimentary techniques that can reveal high resolution fingerprints, but in general, evidence must be sent to our centralised lab were we apply several steps to reveal the fingerprint,” Dr Liang told news.com.au.
The mystery material contains organic metal framework crystals a substance Dr Liang had been using for years at his CSIRO lab.
Dr Liang claims the tiny crystals quickly stuck fast to fingerprint residue, including proteins, fatty acids, salts and pectines.
This then created an ultra-thin coating that replicating the sticky fingerprints found on a window frame, glass windows, knives, benchtops and even tables.
A downside is that the tiny crystals won't work on porous surfaces such as paper, but the CSIRO team are continuing with the research until they find a material that does.
“We would like to contact forensics experts and see if they can make it useful one day," Dr Liang said.
The CSIRO is looking to partner with police forces around Australia to develop the technology and get it into the field.
Morning news break – October 21
