Nano-Forensic: New Perspective and Extensive Applications in Solving Crimes

Nanotechnology has continued to prove its dominance with vast applications to traditional methods in medical, electronic, engineering, and other fields. In forensic science, nanotechnology research has provided a new perspective for real-time crime investigation and developed advanced nanosensors, nano-manipulators, and nano-imaging tools for visualization. Often, nanotechnology aids in enhancing and improving the efficiency of already existing and applied forensic techniques with high accuracy, sensitivity, and reducing the time required. So, this paper reviews the vital applications of classic tools of nanotechnology for examining questioned documents, age of bloodstains, and time since death, along with its application in improving PCR efficiency, DNA analysis, and explosive detection. It also attempts to highlight the use of advanced nanotechnology instruments for illicit drug screening. Nano-based techniques hold an immense future in fingerprinting and security features. Therefore, this paper also offers insights into the applications of nanoparticles in detecting latent fingerprints.