ABSTRACT
There are three types of ™ngerprint impressions: latent, patent, and plastic. The term latent means hidden or invisible. This type of print requires assistance, such as powder or chemical application, for visualization. Fingerprint and friction ridge skin impressions are developable because contact between friction skin surfaces and a substrate can result in residue deposits. The components of the deposits from friction ridge skin are water (98 percent) and nonorganic compounds, salt, amino acids, and oil (2 percent combined). The nonorganic components of the residue are the targets of the development reagents employed. All developed prints should be photographed, when possible, prior to any attempts of lifting as the lifting process may result in a partial lift or destruction of the print without any success in lifting. The preservation of prints developed through chemical means is photography; these prints cannot be lifted with tape.
