Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What type of fingerprints are transferred from friction ridges by a foreign substance?

1. Visible prints

2. Patent prints

3. Latent prints

4. Impression prints

The correct answer is: Patent prints

The correct choice is patent prints, which are fingerprints that are visible to the naked eye because they have been transferred onto a surface with a foreign substance, such as ink, blood, or grease. This type of print occurs when a person's finger makes contact with a surface that captures the substance, thereby creating a clear image of the ridges of the fingerprint. Visible prints, while they may also be seen without special tools, typically refer to marks made by a substance that contrasts with the surface it is on. Latent prints, on the other hand, are not visible to the naked eye and require special techniques to be revealed, usually because they are made from natural oils and sweat left behind on surfaces. Impression prints typically refer to any type of print that is an imprint made in a pliable material, such as clay or soft surfaces, which differs from the definition of a fingerprint detected through the presence of a foreign substance. Therefore, patent prints is the most accurate term for fingerprints transferred by a foreign substance.