Fingerprint Lifting Techniques

Lifting techniques are used one the fingerprints at a crime scene are developed and photographed. Fingerprints are lifted in order to be stored and used later for further analysis.

There are three ways to lift fingerprints and the three ways to do this are: hinge lifters, rubber lifters, and cellophane tape.

Hinge lifters are used by placing it on the print and then pressing down on it evenly. By doing this the lifted print will be covered and is thus protected from scratches and debris.

Fingerprint on a hinge lifter

Rubber lifters are used by first removing the plastic cover in one steady movement. When removing the plastic cover you would want to make sure that you don’t pause because this would result in a line being left on the tape. After the plastic cover is removed you would press the adhesive side of the tape down on the powdered print, then smoothing the surface evenly. Then you peel the tape off of the surface and this will leave you a negative image of the fingerprint.

Fingerprint on a rubber lifter

Cellophane tape is used on surfaces that aren’t flat, this type of tape attaches to the contours of the object in order to avoid any bumps. Instead of using a glossy or opaque tape you should use a high quality clear transparent tape in order to get the best results. The tape would then be placed on the print and then gently rubbed in order to get the print on the tape. Afterwards you place the tape on a card or piece of paper in order to have a correct print.