Future Aspects of Halloysite Nanotubes in Forensic Investigations

Abstract

Forensic science is a wide field, which comprises of contributions of different branches such as physics, biology, chemistry, geology along with mathematics for the examination and analysis of various evidence collected from a crime scene. In recent times, Nanotechnology has enabled the fast, specific and sensitive analysis of evidence. Nanotechnology-basedtechniques such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) have eased the detection of evidence such as explosives, human hair, line crossings and blood [1]. Various nanomaterials such as silver and gold nanoparticles have also been used for the detection as well as collection of evidence. Among various kinds of evidence, fingerprints have always served as a promising means during forensic investigations. Collection and development of latent fingerprints has always been a problem for investigators. In a literature, bentonite clay has been used for the development of latent fingerprints. The clay was loaded with cationic dyes, rhodamine 6G and methylene blue, which helped in the development of fingerprints [2]. Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs) can also be used for collection and detection of various evidence during forensic investigations.