Techniques for Collecting and Analyzing Fingerprints

Fingerprint evidence left behind by a suspect or victim may identify who was at a crime scene and
what he or she touched. However, it is important for defense attorneys to know, and to inform the
jury, that the techniques used to locate and identify fingerprints are far from a perfect science

Step 1: Locating the fingerprint

Locating a fingerprint often requires a vigilant and calculated search. However, in circumstances
where the print is visible to the naked eye, finding a fingerprint is relatively easy. The more intricate
searches take place when the print is present on a surface but not visible. The type of fingerprint left
behind usually determines the amount of time and effort investigators must put into locating the
print.

Patent prints are easy to locate since they are visible to the naked eye. Patent prints occur
when someone has a substance on their fingers such as grease, paint, blood, or ink that leaves
a visible print on a surface.
Plastic prints are also easy to locate but are less common than patent prints since they occur
when someone touches an object such as wax, butter, or soap and leaves a three-dimensional
impression of the finger on the object.
Latent prints are the most common type of print and take the most effort to locate since they
are invisible. Latent prints occur when someone touches any porous or nonporous surface.
The natural oils and residue on fingers leave a deposit on surfaces which mirror the ridges and
furrows that are present on the individuals finger
Step 2: Photographing the fingerprint

After the print is located, it is vital that it is photographed before it is lifted. A photograph
captures where the print was located in comparison to other objects and captures the
orientation of the print. Further, a photograph can serve as a key piece of identification of a
patent or plastic print and can be used to compare and possibly match the print to its source.
Photographing the prints location at the crime scene also guards against tampering of
evidence. See Scientific Evidence by Paul C. Giannelli p. 964-65.

Step 3: Lifting the fingerprint

Lifting a fingerprint means to make a permanent impression of the fingerprint. Lifting a

print can be accomplished on either flat surfaces or round surfaces. Lifting a print usually
involves a rubber tape with an adhesive surface which is applied to the fingerprint, leaving an
imprint on the tape. Often times, a flat object, such as a ruler, will be slowly swiped across
the top of the tape to ensure that there are no bubbles or ripples in the tape that will affect
the imprint. Next, the tape is carefully peeled off the surface and a plastic cover is placed on
the adhesive side of the tape to prevent disruption of the print. Identification information
and a description of the location of the print should be written on the back of the tape or
card. Id. at 967-68.

After the print is lifted, it is converted into digital data that can be modified to create a
clearer image.

Step 4: Comparing the fingerprint

The final step involves a close examination of the characteristics of the fingerprints.
The fingerprint examination process utilizes the ACE-V method which stands for Analysis,
Comparison, Evaluation and Verification to compare a print collected from a crime scene to a set of
known prints.

Lifting a Fingerprint
Plastic prints
Patent prints

Latent Prints