Latent prints can be found on which surfaces?

• A. In the air
• B. Porous only
• C. Nearly any porous or non-porous surface
• D. Non-porous only

Answer: (C)

Latent fingerprints are residues from skin oils and sweat that can adhere to a wide range of textures, so they can be found on nearly any surface that a person touches. Both porous materials (like paper, cardboard, and wood) and non-porous materials (like glass, metal, and plastic) can hold these prints. On porous surfaces the print may be absorbed and require chemical development methods, while on non-porous surfaces it tends to stay on the surface and is often visualized with powders or cyanoacrylate fuming. Prints aren’t found in the air because there’s nothing to deposit them on, so the idea of latent prints floating in air isn’t correct. For this reason, the best answer is that latent prints can be found on nearly any porous or non-porous surface.