What Are the Three Basic Types of Fingerprints?

The three basic types of fingerprints are:

Latent
Plastic
Patent

About the Three Types of Fingerprints

Latent Prints

You might be the most familiar with these types of fingerprints. When a person touches some sort of object, some of the moisture from their hand is deposited onto that object. Although you generally cannot see latent fingerprints with the naked eye, they are helpful and important in determining who the last person was to touch that object.

In order to bring these fingerprints into the visual spectrum, forensic scientists and investigators have to use different substances. They frequent use powders and dye stains over the object, and then the fingerprints will appear. Another method that they can use is known as superglue fuming. Once the fingerprint details are uncovered, investigators are able to see if the prints match any which are in their databases, or they can take fingerprints from potential suspects in order to make determinations.

Plastic Prints

If an individual touches materials such as clay, tar, or paint, their fingerprints will be retained in these substances. You could test this idea out yourself by taking a piece of clay and pressing your finger into it. Once you remove your finger, you will clearly see that you have left your impression. Therefore, unlike the latent fingerprints, you are able to see plastic prints with the naked eye.

When an investigator arrives on the scene, they can make a cast for these plastic prints - which is basically a replica of the print found at the scene of the crime. Another option is to take lots of pictures of the fingerprint. In either case, the investigator will have some sort of tangible print to bring back to the lab in order to investigate the unique characteristics of that fingerprint.

Patent Prints

Patent prints are similar to plastic prints in certain ways. The main connection between the two is that they are both visible. However, the difference is that with patent prints, there is some sort of lighter material that gets all over the hands. The person is not necessarily pressing down into something. Instead, the person gets oil, blood, paint, and so forth on his or her hands. Once the hands touch some other sort of material, the fingerprint is translated onto that material.

For example, think about what happens if you are eating a greasy plate of fries. Your fingers get coated in the grease. If you inadvertently take your hand and touch a cabinet while your fingers are still covered in grease a fingerprint, in grease, will be transmitted onto that cabinet.

In the case of patent prints, investigators will usually take photographs of the print to examine.

Power of Fingerprints

Since everyone essentially has their own set of fingerprints, these little traces of evidence are extremely important in all sorts of crime scene investigations. Perhaps they will not always help to catch the criminal, but they do help to find people who were at the scene of the crime at some recent point, who might have information concerning whatever happened.