Fingerprints can be visible or invisible. Visible fingerprints, also known as patent fingerprints, are formed when a finger touches a surface after coming into contact with a substance like dirt, blood, ink, or paint. These prints are readily visible to the naked eye. On the other hand, latent fingerprints are invisible to the naked eye and are created by the natural oils and sweat present on our fingertips. These prints require special techniques like dusting or chemical processing to be visualized.
Examples of visible fingerprints:
- A bloody fingerprint left on a weapon
- An inked fingerprint on a document
- A fingerprint left in dust on a window
Examples of latent fingerprints:
- A fingerprint left on a doorknob
- A fingerprint left on a glass surface
- A fingerprint left on a computer screen
The type of fingerprint left behind depends on the circumstances.
