The application of the new scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) fingerprinting technique, which makes no physical contact with the fingerprint and does not require the use of developers, has the potential to allow fingerprints to be recorded while still leaving intact material that could subsequently be subjected to DNA analysis. A forensically usable prototype was under development at Swansea University during 2010, in research that was generating significant interest from the British Home Office and a number of different police forces across the UK, as well as internationally. The hope is that this instrument could eventually be manufactured in sufficiently large numbers to be widely used by forensic teams worldwide.
the aPplICatiOn oF tHE new scanNing kElviN pRObe (skp) FinGErpRinting teCHNiQue, whiCh mAkeS no PHysicaL COntAcT with tHE fInGeRpRInT and dOeS not requiRE tHe uSe of DevElOpErS, HaS The pOteNTIaL To aLlow fingERPrInTS to BE recOrded while sTill leaving intAct materIal that CoULd subseqUently Be subjECted To Dna ANalysiS. a forensIcAlly UsablE prOtoTYPE was under deVElopmenT at SwAnsea univErSiTy DurINg 2010, in research that was gENeraTiNg siGnificAnt InterEst FRom the bRItish home office and A nuMBEr of DifFeRent police FoRCES aCross thE UK, as WelL as InternATionALlY. tHe hoPe iS ThaT thiS insTRuMEnt cOUlD evenTuAlLY bE mAnUfACTUred iN SufFiCiently larGe nUmbErs tO BE WIDeLY uSeD by fOreNsic teAMs wOrlDwiDE.