Fingerprints
Fingerprints
BASICS
• Three varieties –
• 1) latent prints – formed when small amounts of body perspiration and
oils are left on the touched surfaces. They are not visible , hence needs to
be developed for visibility.
• 2) plastic prints – found on malleable , soft and sticky surfaces like
adhesive tapes , cheese , fat gum soap , wax and undried paint. Also known
as indented or moulded prints.
• 3) patent / visible prints – when some coloured substances come in
contact with hand like dust , blood , grease , ink , lotion , paint and such
hand touches a smooth surface , leaving the print on the surface. Also
known as contaminated prints.
• Visible prints- 2 subtypes
1) positive – when impression is produced by fingerprint ridges
contaminated by a colouring substance.
2) negative - where the fingerprint ridges remove the surface material
such as dust etc.
METHODS OF DEVELOPING OR ENHANCING LATENT
FINGERPRINTS