- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- Introduction
- Objectives
- AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors
- Types of Evidence
- Associative Evidence
- The Crime Scene
- Evidence Submission
- Laboratory Evidence Handling
- Case Tracking Within the Laboratory
- Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations
- Selected Bibliography
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Latent Fingerprints
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations > Latent Fingerprints
Dusted fingerprint
In a small percentage of cases, latent fingerprints are found on firearms. However, due to their value, it may be prudent to examine the firearm for latent prints.
Considerations for firearms-related latent fingerprint evidence include the following:
- Some jurisdictions routinely lift fingerprints at the crime scene to avoid any possibility of obliteration as a result of contact with packaging materials.
- In addition to the exterior of a firearm, the interior should also be examined. The firearm may have been disassembled and the suspect’s latent fingerprints may be discovered.
- The interior components of a silencer are also a potential location of latent fingerprint evidence. Chemically recoverable latent fingerprints may also be found on the adhesive side of duct tape, which is frequently used for improvised silencers.
- Although rare, it may be possible to recover usable latent fingerprints from the surface of unfired ammunition or fired cartridge cases. This would occur in circumstances where the print was unknowingly rolled over the surface of a cartridge case. This could happen while loading a revolver or the magazine of a firearm.
