There are three types of fingerprints: latent, patent, and plastic. The type depends on the medium of the print.
Latent prints are the type of print that we leave on objects as we go about our day. The oils on our fingers are left behind on surfaces we touch, forming a pattern of our finger ridges. These are the type of fingerprints that detectives look for when they “dust” for fingerprints.
Patent fingerprints are the kind taken by technicians at Alabama Fingerprint Solutions. The old method, which is still sometimes used, is to apply black ink to a person’s fingers and then press them to a card. The new method, the one we rely on, is to use a fingerprint scanner to get a picture of the ridges on a client’s fingers and then print those to a card – or transmit the prints electronically to an agency that will do the background check. This is often referred to as a Livescan process.
We typically print to the standard FD258 card, but can also print to other cards, such as an SF87 or FINRA card. Electronic transmissions can be made to the FBI, Florida, and the DoD SWFT system. We can also create Electronic Fingerprint Transmission (EFT) files for submission to the ATF for Form 1 and Form 4.
Plastic fingerprints are prints left in a solid but soft object. Prints placed on Silly Putty are a good example of how prints are made. Plastic fingerprints don’t depend on something being transferred, like oils or ink, from the finger to an object. They are also known as impressions because they leave a three-dimensional indented replica of a fingerprint. Since they are impressions, plastic fingerprints are reversed so that the ridges become valleys and the valleys become ridges in the impression. These types of prints are very useful in forensics if found. At crime scenes, they are found in mud, clay, wet paint, or even soap.
If you need your prints taken for your job, a visa, a D0W security clearance, or any other purpose, make an appointment with us using the button below. We can print your fingerprints to cards, create an EFT file for ATF submissions, or transmit your fingerprints electronically to the FBI or the state of Florida. If you want to discuss any special needs, give us a call at 833-PRINT10.
