Final answer:
Forensic powder is used to adhere to perspiration residues and body oils on a nonabsorbent surface, utilizing properties such as those seen in experiments with detergents and water surface tension.
Step-by-step explanation:
When lightly applied to a nonabsorbent surface with a fiberglass brush, the substance that adheres to perspiration residues and/or deposits of body oils left on a surface is likely to be a type of forensic powder used in crime scene investigation. This powder is finely milled to readily adhere to the fatty components found in fingerprints, allowing for the visualization of otherwise invisible prints.
In experiments such as those involving the surface tension of water and detergents, we can see the real-life application of chemistry that ties into understanding substances like forensic powders. For instance, when a detergent is placed on the surface of water, it breaks the surface tension, which can cause dispersed substances, such as pepper, to move away rapidly. Similarly, when a detergent interacts with body oils and perspiration in a fingerprint, the detergent components help to spread the powder evenly across the residues, making the print visible.