A new method based on the use of highly fluorescent water-soluble cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum
dots (QDs) capped with mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) was explored to develop latent fingerprints. After
optimized the effectiveness of QDs method contains pH value and developing time, super fast detection
was achieved. Excellent fingerprint images were obtained in 1–3 s after immersed the latent fingerprints
into quantum dots solution on various non-porous surfaces, i.e. adhesive tape, transparent tape,
aluminum foil and stainless steel. High sensitivity of the new latent fingerprints develop method was
obtained by developing the fingerprints pressed on aluminum foil successively with the same finger.
Compared with methyl violet and rhodamine 6G, the MSA-CdTe QDs showed the higher develop speed
and fingerprint image quality. Clear image can be maintained for months by extending exposure time of
CCD camera, storing fingerprints in a low temperature condition and secondary developmen