Up to Date Using Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Forensic Applications in Fingerprint Detection and Anticounterfeiting: A Review

Carbon dots (CDs) are 0D carbon‐based nanomaterials that have attracted significant attention due to their exceptional electronic and optical properties. Their tunable characteristics have made them valuable across various research areas, including forensic science. In this field, the notable photoluminescence and excellent biocompatibility of CDs are particularly important. Accordingly, this review aims to evaluate the reliability of studies proposing CD‐based approaches for applications such as fingerprint detection and anticounterfeiting. The review begins with an introduction to the fundamental aspects of CDs, their synthesis methods, and the mechanisms of CDs in fingerprint detection, followed by a comprehensive overview of their applications, including CDs derived from organic precursors, biomass‐derived CDs, and CDs integrated with other materials. Compared with conventional techniques, fluorescence‐based methods utilizing CDs demonstrate enhanced speed and efficiency in image acquisition and analysis. Therefore, CDs represent a highly promising material for rapid and reliable fingerprint detection and anticounterfeiting in forensic science.