what is a latent fingerprint?

Question

please give a short explantaion thanx

Answer 1

Although the word latent means hidden or invisible, in modern usage for forensic science the term latent prints means any chance or accidental impression left by friction ridge skin on a surface, regardless of whether it is visible or invisible at the time of deposition. Electronic, chemical and physical processing techniques permit visualization of invisible latent print residue whether they are from natural secretions of the eccrine glands present on friction ridge skin (which produce palmar sweat, sebum, and various kinds of lipids), or whether the impression is in a contaminant such as motor oil, blood, paint, ink, etc.

Answer 2

Latent fingerprints cannot be seen with the naked eye, they consist mainly of perspiration from the sweat pores, Body oil or grease may also be present in the latent fingerprint, transferred to the fingertips by touching other parts of the body such as the hair, they need to be visualised using appropriate development teqniques before comparison and possible identification.

Answer 3

It is simply a fingerprint that has been potentially left behind.

Answer 4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint