ABSTRACT
Latent prints consist of friction ridge prints from fingerprints, palm prints, and/or footprints located at the scene of a crime. Any chance friction ridge prints found at a scene are often referred to as latent prints; technically it is correct to categorize them as follows: latent, patent and plastic. Latent or patent prints on the skin in a homicide investigation are most often associated with the victim. Latent prints on the body are very difficult to visualize even with oblique lighting or the use of an alternate light source. The use of reflected light held at a low oblique angle is helpful in locating prints. Prints on curved and textured surfaces may be recovered using standard tape, but gel lifters and polyethylene tape generally recover more ridge detail. For an investigator the biological sampling of the blood in the print can be accomplished in any area of the stain where ridge detail is obscured.
