In an earlier publication, we reported the application of anti-
Stokes luminescence to detect fingermarks on a variety of nonporous
and semi-porous surfaces using sodium yttrium tetrafluoride
doped with erbium and ytterbium (NaYF4:Er,Yb) up-converting
particles [1]. The rationale for that work was to test the
application of anti-Stokes luminescence to fingermark detection
on difficult surfaces, where broadband luminescence interferes
with conventional methods. The current study further investigates
the application of anti-Stokes luminescence by using yttrium
vanadate doped with ytterbium and erbium (YVO4:Er,Yb) upconverting
particles. This compound is an efficient anti-Stokes
fluorescent material that absorbs light in the near infrared (NIR)
region of the spectrum and emits green luminescence [2]. Because
of their unexpectedly high up-conversion emission, their water
dispersibility, and their photostability, YVO4:Er,Yb nanoparticles
are highly appropriate both for single biomolecule and in vivo
imaging [2]. In this study, we present an evaluation of YVO4:Er,Yb
for the development of latent fingermarks on a range of nonporous
and semi-porous surfaces.