The Impression Evidence Section includes the forensic disciplines of Latent Prints, Footwear, and Tire Track Impressions.
LATENT PRINTS
Friction ridge skin is a specialized type of skin found on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. When this skin comes in contact with a surface, there is the potential for an impression to be left behind. These chance impressions are called latent prints. Many latent prints are not visible to the naked eye, and therefore require some type of processing to develop and visualize the impression. The Latent Print Section uses a variety of visual, physical, and chemical techniques to develop latent prints on an item of evidence. Suitable developed latent prints can be compared to known recordings of the friction ridge skin or searched through the available automated databases (IA Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), FBI Next Generation Identification (NGI)).
- Comparisons can be completed with specified individuals if the individuals name and either the DCI Number or Universal Control Number is provided.
FOOTWEAR & TIRE TRACK IMPRESSIONS
Footwear and tire track impressions are created by the outsole of shoes and the tread of tires. Techniques similar to those used in latent print examination are used to develop and capture these impressions. Developed impressions can then be compared to known recording.
- Known reference samples (i.e., shoes, tires) must be submitted for comparisons to be completed.
