First time the yttrium aluminate nanoparticles are used to improve the fingerprint quality. Eco-friendly green combustion process is used to synthesize YAlO 3: Sm 3+(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→ 6 H J= 5/2, 7/2, 9/2 forbidden transitions of Sm 3+ 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∼ 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.