TIME's Best Inventions of 2008

The Other 49 Best Inventions

39. Enhanced Fingerprints

Article Tools
Print
Sphere
RSS

English physicist John Bond developed a technique for analyzing fingerprints on a gun after it's been wiped clean. Sweat corrodes metal, so Bond applied an electrical charge and a fine carbon powder to a gun's corroded part, revealing a fingerprint pattern. Police are already using the four-month-old technology to reopen some cases.

View the full list for "TIME's Best Inventions of 2008"
Next: 40. The Seven New Deadly Sins >>

Cast Your Vote

Gadget of the Year

Which gadget is most useful or influential? Browse the nominees and cast your vote.

Invention of the Year

The Retail DNA Test

Your genome used to be a closed book. Now a simple, affordable test can shed new light on everything from your intelligence to your biggest health risks. Say hello to your dna — if you dare

Video

The Best Inventions of the Year

Run, ride, swim, and sing through some of TIME Magazine's best inventions of the year

Shopping

Tech Buyer's Guide

Gear up with these gizmos for the home, office, playroom, and pocket. Batteries not included

Most Popular »

Full List »
  1. Are You Getting Scammed by Facebook Games?
  2. The State of Hillary: A Mixed Record on the Job
  3. Priests Spar Over What it Means to Be Catholic
  4. China Woos Africa — And Not Just For Its Resources
  5. Stresses at Fort Hood Were Likely Intense for Hasan
  6. The Meaning of Manny Pacquiao
  7. Hasan's Therapy: Could "Secondary Trauma" Have Driven Him to Shooting?
  8. Brazil Student Expelled for Mini-Dress
  9. A Christmas Carol Wins — And Loses — the Weekend
  10. Why We Look at Some Web Ads and Not Others
  1. Are You Getting Scammed by Facebook Games?
  2. Why We Look at Some Web Ads and Not Others
  3. China Woos Africa — And Not Just For Its Resources
  4. Priests Spar Over What it Means to Be Catholic
  5. Why California is Still America’s Future
  6. The Meaning of Manny Pacquiao
  7. Let's Bail Out the Pot Dealers!
  8. To Help The Kids, Parents Go Back to School
  9. I Can Has Swine Flu? A Cat Comes Down with H1N1
  10. The Story of Barack Obama's Mother