Fingerprint Detection Powder Composition for Clear Prints on Smooth Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fingerprint detection powders struggle with unclear fingerprint images from samples with less adhesion of fingerprint components and damage to ridges on smooth surfaces, particularly glassy surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A fingerprint detection powder containing pigment particles, calcium lactate, and a silane coupling agent, which enhances adhesion to fingerprint components and reduces damage on smooth surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If aluminum powder is used as fine powder for fingerprint detection, then the fingerprint can be visualized, but the powder is difficult to clean from the applied portion due to strong adhesive and scattering properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint visualizationVSAvoidcleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the fine powder from conventional aluminum powder to iron powder with specific particle size distribution (0.5-5 μm) and controlled morphology. This parameter change reduces adhesive properties while maintaining fingerprint visualization capability, making the powder easier to remove after use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material composition by combining iron powder with specific binding agents and surface treatments. This composite approach optimizes the balance between adhesion to fingerprint components and ease of removal from the substrate, resolving the contradiction between visualization effectiveness and cleaning ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If aluminum powder is applied to collect fingerprint, then the fingerprint can be visualized, but collection must focus on a specific portion where fingerprint possibly exists, limiting wide area application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint visualizationVSAvoidapplication area coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the versatility of the fine powder by optimizing its adhesive properties to work effectively across diverse surfaces and conditions. The modified iron powder formulation can be applied to wide areas while maintaining effective fingerprint collection, removing the limitation of focused application only.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By adjusting particle size, surface treatment, and composition parameters of the iron powder, the patent achieves optimal balance between adhesion strength and ease of removal, enabling effective application over wide areas while maintaining fingerprint visualization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional fingerprint detection powder is used on samples with less adhesion of fingerprint component, then the powder can be applied, but the fingerprint image becomes unclear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder applicationVSAvoidfingerprint image clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameters of iron powder to 0.5-5 μm with specific surface area and morphology control. This parameter optimization enhances the powder's ability to adhere to fingerprint components with low adhesion while maintaining clear image formation, resolving the contradiction between applicability and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material formulation combining iron powder with optimized binding agents that enhance adhesion to fingerprint components. This composite approach improves fingerprint image clarity on samples with low adhesion while maintaining ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Measurement precision

If fingerprint detection powder is used on smooth glassy surface, then the fingerprint can be detected, but the ridges may be scraped causing evidence ability to be impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint detectionVSAvoidridge damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical properties of the fine powder by controlling particle hardness, size, and shape parameters. The optimized iron powder particles are softer and more compliant, reducing mechanical stress on fingerprint ridges during application while maintaining effective ridge visualization on smooth glassy surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material composition with iron powder combined with protective binding agents that reduce mechanical abrasion. This composite formulation enables effective fingerprint detection on smooth surfaces while minimizing ridge damage and preserving evidence integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The powder allows for clear fingerprint collection even from samples with low adhesion and smooth surfaces by improving pigment adherence and reducing ridge damage.

Implementation Method 1

The fingerprint detection powder according to the present invention contains pigment particles and calcium lactate. By containing calcium lactate, the fingerprint detection powder according to the present invention can reduce adhesion of the fingerprint detection powder to portions other than the fingerprint component.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The fingerprint detection powder according to the present invention is characterized by further containing a silane coupling agent in addition to the pigment particles and calcium lactate. The fingerprint detection powder according to the present invention contains a silane coupling agent, whereby the pigment particles adhere more firmly to the fingerprint component, compared to a case of containing no silane coupling agent.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAffinity enhancement: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3613343B1Fingerprint detection powder
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 KINSEI MATEC
  • EP3613343B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3613343B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3613343B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a fingerprint detection powder capable of collecting a clear fingerprint image even from a sample with a smaller amount of fingerprint constituents adhered thereto and a sample with a smooth glassy surface. This fingerprint detection powder contains pigment particles and calcium lactate. The pigment particles preferably contain at least one type selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, colcothar, yellow iron oxide, black iron oxide, silica, carbon black, aluminum powder, and copper powder. The surface of the pigment particles is preferably covered with the calcium lactate. The fingerprint detection powder further contains a silane coupling agent. Preferably, the silane coupling agent is n-octyltriethoxysilane. The surface of the pigment particles is preferably covered with the n-octyltriethoxysilane as well as the calcium lactate.