Latent Print Processing Guide

Latent prints are chance or accidental impressions left by friction-ridge skin on a surface, regardless of whether they are visible or invisible at the time of deposition. Recognition of evidence that may contain fingerprints and the processes that can develop these latent prints is crucial in preventing valuable evidence from being left undetected. Latent Print Processing Guide goes beyond the basic police training, covering latent prints in detail and providing first responders with adequate training and guidelines. To process latent prints, examiners use various techniques including electronic, chemical, cyanoacrylate, and physical methods. Latent Print Processing Guide offers a broad understanding of latent print detection, development, and recovery, including insights on stateof-the-art technologies.

Includes history of latent print identification and some of the pioneers and their contributions. Defines the differences between chemical and physical processes and explains process sequence protocols and recovery methods for different types of evidence.Chapters include: process selection, application and recovery, special considerations for specific materials, protocol sequence and process formulas, including required materials, application method, expected results, safety measures, and references.The text is written so that non-crime scene or non-crime laboratory personnel can also gain valuable information from it.

Latent Print Processing Guide, 1st Edition

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1. The Forensic Science of Fingerprints
  • Fingerprints
  • Brief History
  • Definitions
  • Types of Fingerprints
  • Why Fingerprints Are Used for Identification
  • How Fingerprints Are Produced
  • Detection and Development
  • Recovery and Preservation
  • Fingerprint Identification
• Chapter 2. Developing Fingerprints
  • Chemical and Physical Processes
  • Chemical Processing
  • Physical Processing
  • Cyanoacrylate Processing
  • Blood Print Processing
• Chapter 3. Special Considerations
  • Thermal Paper
  • Fingerprints on Human Skin
  • Tips on Processing Latex or Nitrile Gloves
  • Objects from Fires
  • Recovery of Fingerprints from Kleenex and Tissue Paper (or Similar Paper Materials Subject to Damage when Wet Processed)
  • Recovery of Latent Prints from Rough or Textured Surfaces
  • Recovery of Fingerprints from Desiccated Remains
  • Recovery of Fingerprints from Wet or Submerged Evidence
  • Touch DNA
  • Recovery of Fingerprints from Firearms
  • Additional Processes and Techniques
• Chapter 4. Process Sequence Protocols
  • Fundamentals
• Chapter 5. The Processes
  • Document #17
  • Purpose
  • Materials
  • Mixing Procedure
  • Processing Procedure
  • Safety Considerations
  • Limitation
  • Results
  • Quality Control
  • Literature References