What type of fingerprint evidence can be made visible through chemicals or light technologies?

Latent fingerprint evidence refers to those fingerprints that are not immediately visible to the naked eye but can be made discernible through various methods. This type of evidence is crucial in criminal investigations as it often reveals the presence of individuals at a crime scene.

Chemicals such as powders, superglue fuming, or chemical developers can be applied to surfaces where latent prints may reside, enhancing their visibility. Additionally, light technologies like ultraviolet or infrared imaging can illuminate these prints, making them easier to detect and capture for analysis. These techniques are essential in forensic science, as they allow investigators to recover prints from surfaces that might otherwise go unexamined due to the prints being invisible.

Other types of fingerprint evidence have distinct characteristics. Plastic fingerprints are three-dimensional impressions left in soft materials, while patent fingerprints are visible prints left on surfaces by the transfer of contaminants, like ink or blood. Impression evidence, in a broader sense, could refer to various types of indents, including tire tracks or shoe prints, but does not specifically pertain to the nature of fingerprint evidence that requires enhancement for visibility. Thus, latent fingerprint evidence is precisely the type that benefits from the application of chemical and light technologies.