An autumn view of Keimyung University's Seongseo Campus. [Keimyung University]
An autumn view of Keimyung University's Seongseo Campus. [Keimyung University]

Keimyung University announced Thursday that a study conducted jointly by Clue LAB — the investigation club of its Department of Police Administration — and the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency has been published in a Korea Citation Index-listed journal.

The research, carried out through a major-specific class, is an example of students collaborating directly with an active law enforcement agency to tackle real investigative challenges.

The paper, titled "A Study on Sequential Application of Fluorescent and Magnetic Fluorescent Powders for Latent Fingermark Development on Non-Porous Surfaces," appeared in Criminal Investigation Studies (CIS), Vol. 12, No. 2, 2026 (cumulative issue No. 26).

Contributors included Ko Bok-chan, a senior police officer with the forensic science unit of the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency's criminal investigation division and the paper's corresponding author, along with fellow officer Baek Hyeon-jeong, and Keimyung University Department of Police Administration students Lee Seung-ju, Kim Hyeon-i, Kim Da-hyeon, Lee Chae-won and Son Da-mi.

Latent fingermark development is affected by a range of variables — surface characteristics, contamination and the composition of the fingermark itself — making it difficult to apply a uniform brushing standard. As a result, fingermarks could be damaged or yield inconsistent results depending on the examiner's skill level.

To address this, the research team developed a "sequential application method" in which fluorescent powder is applied lightly just one or two times to locate the fingermark, followed immediately by magnetic fluorescent powder. The approach produced sharper fingermarks with less damage than conventional methods requiring repeated applications.

Validation tests with active forensic examiners confirmed that the method reduced variability between examiners and could recover identifiable fingermarks even where impressions were faint.

Heo Gyeong-mi, head of Keimyung University's Department of Police Administration, said the results reflect an organic connection between education, research and practice. "We will continue to strengthen the educational foundation so that students can grow into specialized professionals in public safety through research linked to real investigative work," she said.


kbj7653@heraldcorp.com