Question

Consider the following list of evidence to be processed for latent fingerprints.   Please write a paper detailing how you would process and recover the latent prints from the items. Clearly explain: 1) why you chose these methods rather than other means of processing and, 2) if the methods you chose would be different if you were operating in the field versus working in a controlled laboratory environment and why.

Papers removed from the safe.  

Answer 1

Latent Prints are one of three categories of fingerprints that can be found at the scene of a crime.

About Fingerprints

Fingerprints are split into three categories:

• Latent
• Impressed
• Patent

Patent prints are those fingerprints that are easily spotted without the use of magnesium powders, ultra violet lights or chemicals that might assist in the visualisation of such a print. Patent prints are often found perhaps in blood, ink, oil or on surfaces such as glass, wooden doorframes or paper.

Impressed prints are those that have been made in soft material or tissue by pressing down with the finger or hand. These prints can be photographed or in certain circumstances moulds made if they are very fragile.

Latent prints - the particular fingerprint we are interested in here - are prints that are not visible to the naked eye but do exist.

Latent Prints

These prints are created because the fingers have tiny outlets for the expulsion of sweat and these outlets pick up salts, oils and tiny particles of dirt along the way. You may think that your hands and fingers are clean but at any given time your fingers are picking up these tiny molecules in everyday life; a common means of picking up these tiny particles is the passing of paper from one individual to another. Paper - and paper of many different types - although looking clean can carry a thin film of dirt and sweat particles that are passed on.