Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Which type of prints are typically considered valuable physical evidence in crime scenes?

1. Visible prints

2. Latent prints

3. Plastic prints

4. Patent prints

The correct answer is: Latent prints

Latent prints are considered highly valuable physical evidence in crime scenes because they are the most common type of fingerprints left behind by individuals when they touch surfaces. These prints are generally not visible to the naked eye and require specialized techniques to reveal them. Latent prints contain unique ridge patterns that can be matched to individuals through fingerprint databases, making them crucial for identification and linking suspects to crime scenes. The importance of latent prints lies in their ability to provide physical evidence that directly connects a suspect to a location or an object involved in the crime. Investigators often use powder, chemicals, or alternative light sources to develop and retrieve these prints from various surfaces, which can lead to the identification of suspects or corroborate witness statements. While visible prints, plastic prints, and patent prints are also significant in certain contexts, latent prints are the most prevalent and versatile type of fingerprint, often leading to successful forensic investigations and prosecutions.