Earn A Forensics Degree

Equipment

The Fingerprint Sourcebook - Chapter 11


National Institute of Justice

   See also the instructional videos on "Latent Fingerprints"

Introduction

Fingerprints, although they may be found 50 years after being deposited on a piece of paper, are at the same time very fragile and easily destroyed. The arrival of a fingerprint technician at a crime scene marks a critical point in an investigation. It is what he or she decides to do, even unwittingly, that may affect the success or failure of fingerprint evidence collection. A technician must be knowledgeable about the equipment that is available both in the field and in the laboratory. With this knowledge, the technician will be able to select the best method for developing and preserving a print.

This chapter focuses on equipment that can be used easily in the field and equipment that would be found in the laboratory setting. There will, of course, be some overlap between the crime scene and laboratory equipment.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, Computer Forensics or Forensic Psychology

Read the Fingerprint Sourcebook:




Receive our free monthly newsletter and/or job posting alerts Click to sign up

Read other chapters in the Fingerprint Sourcebook: