What is the typical sequence for developing and collecting latent fingerprints on a nonporous surface?

What is the typical sequence for developing and collecting latent fingerprints on a nonporous surface?

• A. Photograph the surface; lift with tape; preserve the lift on a card; label; and secure.
• B. Photograph the surface; apply development; photograph prints; lift with tape; preserve the lift on a card; label; and secure.
• C. Photograph the surface; photograph prints; apply development; lift with tape; preserve the lift on a card; label; and secure.
• D. Photograph the surface; apply development; photograph prints; lift with tape; preserve the lift on a card; label; and secure.

Answer: (B)

Documenting the scene before altering it is essential when collecting latent fingerprints on nonporous surfaces. The best sequence starts with photographing the surface to capture its condition, orientation, and context before any processing. Then apply the chosen development method to reveal prints. After development, photograph the prints to document the details while they are still visible and in their revealed state. Next, lift the prints with tape to physically remove them for analysis. Preserve that lift on a card so the print remains intact and easily transportable for comparison. Finally, label the evidence and secure it to maintain the chain of custody. This order protects the integrity of the scene, ensures prints are revealed before recording their details, and keeps the physical lift safe for laboratory comparison. If you lift before development, you risk destroying or smudging prints; photographing prints before development might miss prints that appear only after development; skipping documentation or development would leave the scene and evidence poorly characterized.

Documenting the scene before altering it is essential when collecting latent fingerprints on nonporous surfaces. The best sequence starts with photographing the surface to capture its condition, orientation, and context before any processing. Then apply the chosen development method to reveal prints. After development, photograph the prints to document the details while they are still visible and in their revealed state. Next, lift the prints with tape to physically remove them for analysis. Preserve that lift on a card so the print remains intact and easily transportable for comparison. Finally, label the evidence and secure it to maintain the chain of custody.

This order protects the integrity of the scene, ensures prints are revealed before recording their details, and keeps the physical lift safe for laboratory comparison. If you lift before development, you risk destroying or smudging prints; photographing prints before development might miss prints that appear only after development; skipping documentation or development would leave the scene and evidence poorly characterized.