Latent Fingerprint Section

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Crime Lab: Latent Fingerprint Section

Four full-time Latent Print Analyst and an administrative officer staff this section. They use a variety of powders, chemicals, and alternative light sources to visualize latent fingerprints from a variety of different materials and surfaces.

Techniques include the relatively simple powder processing to sophisticated processing chambers, fluorescent powders and chemicals that react with the biological properties of the fingerprint.

The section also maintains extensive files containing thousands of suspect fingerprint cards used for comparison to latent fingerprints lifted from crime scenes.

The latent examiner can capture digital images of fingerprints that can be searched against those in a statewide system utilizing a database known as the AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System). They also have the ability to utilize the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS).