Obliteration of Latent Fingerprints

Abstract

Abstract Comprehensive trials have established that latent fingerprints can be rendered partially or totally unidentifiable during print development by the following: (a) ridge smearing, which depends on the type and age of the latent print and also on the type of brush and brushing procedures used, and (b) overpowdering and/or overbrushing of the print. These causes of pattern obscuration are discussed in terms of their implications for fingerprint development procedures, since up to 10% of prints developed at crime scenes can be difficult or even impossible to identify.