What is considered a fundamental skill of law enforcement regarding fingerprint evidence?

Lifting latent prints is considered a fundamental skill of law enforcement when it comes to fingerprint evidence. This process involves the careful collection of prints that are not immediately visible to the naked eye, often referred to as latent prints. The ability to effectively lift these prints from various surfaces is crucial because it allows investigators to preserve this critical evidence for later analysis and comparison.

This skill requires knowledge of various techniques and tools used for lifting prints, such as powders, tape, and chemical methods, ensuring that the prints are retrieved without degradation. Once lifted, these prints can be examined to potentially match them to suspects in a criminal investigation, illustrating the importance of this skill in the broader context of forensic science.

While documenting evidence, identifying suspects, and analyzing prints are important aspects of handling fingerprint evidence, lifting latent prints is the foundational skill that enables other processes to take place, linking the physical evidence to the investigative process more effectively.