One of the oldest, most common and most readily available methods for the development of latent fingerprints is that of dusting a surface with a fine powder of contrasting colour. The use of powders depends on the object upon which the search is being conducted. Fingerprint powder is applied at the crime scene on smooth, non-absorbent surfaces and, in general, only to objects that cannot be transported back to a laboratory. The powder adheres to the humid, sticky, or greasy substances in the dormant fingerprint deposit. The application of powder is relatively simple and inexpensive and little experience is necessary to obtain satisfactory results. Difficulties also arise when the nature of the surface and the composition of the fingerprint vary. Fingerprint powder is composed of many different ingredients that can vary greatly depending on the formula used. Most black fingerprint powders contain rosin, black ferric oxide and lampblack. Many also contain inorganic chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, silicon, titanium and bismuth.

The scene left behind after the police has completed their investigation can be just as traumatic as the crime itself. After the burglars have come into and rummaged through your belongings and have torn your home apart, the police follow-up with their investigation. There is a high possibility they will use fingerprint dust to collect evidence. After they are done, they leave you to put your home back together again. The easy part may be straightening the pictures on the walls and putting items back where they belong. The harder part is removing the fingerprint dust the police leave behind.
Fingerprint dust (aluminium powder) removal can be quite tricky. It is touch/heat activated and not always obvious where it is. Fingerprint dust clean-up is relatively easy on non-porous objects such as doors and door jambs, windows and sills, countertops, etc. however; removal from carpet, grout, clothing and linens can be very difficult to impossible.