Even though the detection of latent fingerprints by photoluminescence techniques is widely used, a problem has been detected with this technique in background fluorescence often masking the luminescence of interest. However, europium chemical strategies are being explored to remedy some of these identified problems. This article presents a preliminary study of one such strategy, europium oxide nanoparticles capped with amino-functionalized silane. The nanoparticles are not prone to photobleaching because there are no luminescence-sensitizing ligands. Utilizing diimide-mediated amidation, targeting carboxylic acid functionalities of fingerprint constituents, the lipid-based detection of fingerprints with amino-functionalized duropium oxide nanoparticles is reported. The fingerprint photoluminescence detection can be done in the usual fashion or with time-resolved techniques that suppress background fluorescence. References