Eggshells to the Rescue: A Green Way to Reveal Hidden Fingerprints

Forensic science is getting a green makeover. Scientists have found a clever way to use waste chicken eggshells to develop fingerprints on tricky surfaces, even when they've been underwater. This new method is not only eco-friendly but also effective. Eggshells are mostly made of calcium carbonate, a natural and safe material. Researchers turned these eggshells into a fine powder and mixed them with a natural soap-like substance called saponin and a blue dye called methylene blue. This mix was then tested on various surfaces like glass, metal, and different plastics. The team wanted to see if this eggshell-based powder could reveal fingerprints that had been submerged in water for five days. The results were promising. The fingerprints came out clear and easy to see, especially on glass and metal. Independent experts graded the fingerprints, and most were rated good to excellent.The scientists also checked the powder's composition and how well it stuck to the fingerprints. They found that the calcium carbonate in the eggshells worked well for this purpose. Moreover, the powder didn't leave any harmful chemicals behind, making it a safe and sustainable choice. This new method is a win-win. It's cheaper, safer, and better for the environment than traditional ways of developing fingerprints. Plus, it turns waste into something useful, supporting the idea of a circular economy. In the future, this eco-friendly approach could become a standard in forensic science. It gives law enforcement a reliable, non-toxic, and environmentally responsible tool for revealing fingerprints, even in challenging conditions.