First time the yttrium aluminate nanoparticles are used to improve the fingerprint quality. Eco-friendly green combustion process is used to synthesize YAIO(3):Sm3+ (0.5-11 mol%) nanophosphor using green tea leaf extract as non-toxic and eco-friendly fuel. Powder X-ray diffraction study confirms the orthorhombic phase. The average sizes of the crystallites were found to be in the range 20-35 nm. The emission peaks centered at 564, 601 and 647 nm is attributed to 4f-4f ((4)G(5/2) -> H-6(J=5/2),(712,912)) forbidden transitions of Sm3+ ions. Judd-Ofelt theory is applied to experimental data for providing qualitative support by determining J-O intensity parameters. The Commission International De I-Eclairage chromaticity co-ordinates are very close to National Television System Committee standard value of white emission (x = 0.296, y = 0.237). Further, correlated color temperature is found to be similar to 11,900 K. A simple, fast, highly sensitive and low-cost method for the detection and enhancement of fingermarks in a broad range of surfaces is developed and constitutes an alternative to traditional luminescent powders. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.