3. Results and discussion
The results of the present studies are shown in Figs. 1–13. The latent fingerprints on different substrates were successfully developed by using silica gel G powder in majority of the cases. It was interesting to note that the silica gel G powder gives better results on contrast substrates. The latent fingerprints present on substrates such as plastic, glass, ordinary mirror, and metallic substrates, aluminum foil sheet, carbon paper, match-box, cardboard, gloss-painted wooden substrates, top and writable surface of CD and glazed colored magazine paper surface, were developed and showed clear ridges as is evident from the figures. It has been found that latent fingerprints on cardboard were also visible after development and using this method the ridges were clear to read. It has also been found that after developing the latent fingerprint on the top and writ-able surface of CD, the data in the CD were not affected and it could still be read. The negative results were obtained on white paper, currency note and polythene due to poor contrast. Further, this powdering method gives better results on contrast surfaces as compared to others.