Various methods have been reported for the development of latent fingerprints on differentsurfaces in the literature. This paper presents a new powdering method which is simple, nontoxicfor the development of latent fingerprints that can be employed on different substrates. In thisinvestigation a less expensive, simple and easily available, turmeric powder, a common ingredient in Indian food, has been used to decipher the latent fingerprints on nine different substrates. It is found that it gives very clear results in majority of the surfaces.