Which statement best describes latent prints?

Which statement best describes latent prints?

• A. They are visible to the naked eye and require no development
• B. They are typically formed only on metal surfaces
• C. They are immediately collected and stored in a database
• D. They are invisible to the naked eye and require development to be observed

Answer: (D)

Latent prints are fingerprints formed from trace amounts of sweat and oils left on a surface. Because those residues are colorless and faint, they’re invisible to the naked eye and won’t show up without some treatment. Investigators reveal latent prints using development techniques such as powder dusting, cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming, or chemical reagents like iodine or ninhydrin, depending on the surface. Once developed, the ridge patterns become visible for photography, lifting, and comparison. This differentiates latent prints from patent (visible) prints, which you can see without any processing, and from plastic impressions, which are three-dimensional and in soft materials.

Latent prints are fingerprints formed from trace amounts of sweat and oils left on a surface. Because those residues are colorless and faint, they’re invisible to the naked eye and won’t show up without some treatment. Investigators reveal latent prints using development techniques such as powder dusting, cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming, or chemical reagents like iodine or ninhydrin, depending on the surface. Once developed, the ridge patterns become visible for photography, lifting, and comparison. This differentiates latent prints from patent (visible) prints, which you can see without any processing, and from plastic impressions, which are three-dimensional and in soft materials.