Latent Print

Development
 Why are latent prints developed? The purpose is to make is
visible so that it may be preserved and compared. Development
of latent fingerprints is a process where positive identification of a
criminal may be established.
Fingerprints located at crime scenes can be classified as
visible, plastic, or latent prints.
Locating visible or plastic prints at the crime scene normally
presents little problem to the investigator, because these prints
are usually distinct and visible.
 Latent prints, on the other hand, are difficult to located.
They can only be seen after the surface on which they are
imprinted has been treated with powders or chemicals.
In developing latent prints, the investigator is influenced
by the kind of surface that is being examined in choosing a
developing method. For example, prints on porous evidence
such as paper, unfinished wood, cardboard, etc. are normally
developed by treatment with a chemical.
 On the other hand, prints on nonporous
evidence such as plastic, glass, metal, foil, etc., are
either develop by powdering method or super glue
fuming method.
 Most natural fingerprints consist of
COMPOSITION secretions of the skin’s glands. In the main, three
OF LATENT types of glands are responsible: the eccrine
FINGERPRINTS glands, the sebaceous glands and the apocrine
glands.
 GLAND INORGANICS ORGANICS

ECCRINE chlorides, metalamino acids, urea,

ions, ammonia,lactic acid,
sulfates and choline, uric acid,
phosphates creatinine and
sugars
SEBACEOUS fatty acids and
glycerides, alcohol
and hydrocarbons
APOCRINE Ions like sodium, proteins,
potassium and iron carbohydrates and
cholesterol
ECCRINE GLANDS secrete largely water with inorganic
and organic contaminants. Inorganic components of this
type of sweat include chlorides, metal ions, ammonia,
sulfates, and phosphates. Organic components are
metabolic by-products such as amino acids, urea, lactic
acid, choline, uric acid, creatinine and sugars.
SEBACEOUS GLANDS are secretors of fatty or
greasy substances. These include organic
compounds such as fatty acids and glycerides, as
well as alcohols and hydrocarbons.
APOCRINE GLANDS secrete cytoplasm and
nuclear materials, including inorganic compounds
such as ionic iron, and organic compounds such as
proteins, carbohydrates and cholesterol.
 CHOICE OF DEVELOPING AGENT

Successfully developing a latent print requires choosing

an agent that reacts with some combination of these
components, but not with the surface on which the print
exists. However, just which components exist in a fingerprint
and in what concentration are subject to change. Factors
such as age, exposure to the environment and the surface on
which they reside have profound effects. Water and alcohols
are of the first components lost from a print.
Thus, agents that react primarily with water will become
less effective with the passage of time, whereas agents that
rely on reactions with fatty constituents may be more
successful. Of course, the surface on which the print is
placed may act to absorb or diffuse the fatty components,
leaving no discernible ridge detail.
 It may be necessary for the latent technician to attempt
a number of developers in sequence. However, many
development reactions are destructive in that they change
the chemical nature of the fingerprint constituent with
which they react. When this destruction occurs, the
chemical is no longer available within the print to be
detected. It is essential that the technician understands the
accepted sequence of use of development products.
Compiled by Melcon S. Lapina, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
 POWDERING AND LIFTING IMPRESSIONS

Considerations before Powdering:

• When a latent print is plainly visible, it should be photographed before any
effort is made to develop it.
• No attempt should be made to brush or apply powder to prints in dust,
obviously greasy prints, or bloody prints, as this will almost surely destroy
them.
• Objects which have been wet or immersed in water may still bear identifiable
latent impressions. Before any examination is attempted, however, the object
must be dried.
• A powder should be used which will contrast with the color of the surface.
• Photographic contrasts should also be considered.
Procedure:
• A very small amount of powder is placed on the brush for application to the
surface. Once the contour of a print is visible, the brush strokes should
conform to the direction of the ridges. All excess powder should be brushed
from between the ridges.Too much powder and too little brushing are the
chief faults of beginners.