The invention belongs to the technical field of fingerprint detection and particularly provides a latent fingerprint detection method based on a red fluorescent carbon dot material. Red fluorescent carbon dots are prepared by adopting a hydrothermal method, and then a solid uniform in particle size is obtained through filtration, neutralization, washing and freeze-drying. The carbon dots show positive electricity under the acidic condition, can be bonded with negatively charged sebum and the like in fingerprint residues through an electrostatic interaction and is coated by the sebum, and fluorescence quenching of the carbon dots in the drying process is prevented. The carbon dots which are not bonded with the sebum produce fluorescence quenching due to drying agglomeration. Finally, the morphology of latent fingerprints is rapidly and accurately shown under an ultraviolet lamp or blue light. By adopting the method, fingerprints can be simply, conveniently and rapidly shown in a fluorescence emitting mode, and the method can be applied to a variety of material surfaces such as glass, metal, leather, plastic and ceramic. The carbon dots are safe and non-toxic themselves, high in quality, low in price, convenient to manufacture and suitable for popularization and application.