Killers who have so far escaped justice could be convicted in the light of a technique using X-rays and nanoparticles to detect fingerprints, even after they have been washed away.
The method has been pioneered by the force's forensic science supp
ort unit, led by Dr John Bond, and scientists from the University of Leicester.
Dr Bond said the technique could help solve hundreds of unsolved crimes. He said: "It's certainly possible hundreds of cold cases could be reopened, because with this method the only way to avoid a fingerprint being detected is through abrasive cleaning, as that takes a layer off the metal.
"It could work for gun crimes, where bullets have been recovered and the offender may have left a fingerprint on the casing that has not been picked up by conventional techniques.
"For the first time, we can get prints from people who handled a cartridge before it was fired.
"Wiping it down, washing it in hot soapy water makes no difference. And the heat of the shot helps the process we use."
The method, one of several breakthroughs developed by Dr Bond's team, involves an electric charge being applied to metals which have been coated in a fine conducting powder.
A removed fingerprint would leave a slight corrosion on the metal.
The scientific support unit will reveal its discovery in detail in the Journal of Forensic Science later this week. The force's collaboration with the University of Leicester was officially launched yesterday.
