THE PROCESS OF RENDERING FINGERPRINTS ON BANKNOTES

Alina COMAN; Constantin RUSNAC

doi:10.35219/across.2025.5.04

Alina COMAN 1PhD candidate, Constanța County Police Inspectorate, HEAD Office, Crime scene investigation and canine unit
Constantin RUSNAC 2PhD, associate professor, “Criminal procedure, Forensics and Information Security” department of the ”Ştefan cel Mare” Academy of MIA of the Republic of Moldova, Chișinău

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35219/across.2025.5.04

Keywords: fingerprints, banknotes, dactiloscopy, cyanoacrylate, ninhydrin, indanedione

Abstract

The detection of fingerprints on banknotes plays a critical role in forensic science,
particularly in investigations related to corruption, counterfeiting, and money laundering. Due to the diversity of banknote materials—primarily paper and polymer—specific rendering techniques are required to identify both latent and visible prints. This article explores in detail the physical, chemical, and optical methods used in fingerprint rendering, focusing on their applicability, advantages, and limitations based on banknote surface composition.
Physical methods include dusting with magnetic or non-magnetic powders, adapted to the
substrate type and colour contrast. Chemical techniques, such as cyanoacrylate fuming, ninhydrin, DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one), and indanedione, are evaluated for efficiency and compatibility with porous (paper) or non-porous (polymer) surfaces. Each method is discussed about its procedural requirements, visualisation tools, and potential effects on biological trace preservation or currency usability.
The article also identifies multiple factors affecting print detection, including the banknote's
wear, exposure to chemicals, and elapsed time since handling. Practical challenges such as
interference from security features or multicolour designs are also examined.
By emphasising both theoretical and operational dimensions, the study contributes to
enhancing fingerprint detection procedures on banknotes, recommending that methods be applied in order of destructiveness. The article concludes that fingerprinting currency remains a complex yet indispensable forensic procedure, requiring constant adaptation to evolving materials and technologies.