ABSTRACT
There are two general categories to describe the fingerprint evidence that may be found at a crime scene or on an item related to a criminal matter: visible fingermarks and latent fingermarks. These categories are not mutually exclusive, since an item or surface can carry both visible and latent marks. Any search for fingerprint evidence must take into consideration the possible presence of both types of fingermark. For example, a visible fingermark (e.g., a blood mark) should not be enhanced to the exclusion of any latent fingermarks that may also be present on the item or surface under examination.
