ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

Which term refers to the ability to process latent fingerprints?

1. Revealing

2. Developing

3. Enhancing

4. Translating

The correct answer is: Developing

The term that refers to the ability to process latent fingerprints is "developing." This process involves techniques used to visualize and make latent fingerprints visible for identification purposes. Latent fingerprints are impressions left behind by the oils and sweat on skin, which are not immediately visible to the naked eye. Development techniques can include powder dusting, chemical processes, and other methods designed to make the prints stand out against the surface they are found on, allowing investigators to capture and analyze them for identification. This action is fundamental in forensic investigation, as successfully developing latent fingerprints is often a key step in linking a suspect to a crime scene. Other terms, while they may seem related, do not accurately describe this specific process. For instance, "revealing" generally refers to making something known or visible but does not encapsulate the scientific and technical methods involved in processing fingerprints. "Enhancing" usually involves improving the quality of an image or evidence that is already visible, but does not pertain to the initial processing of latent prints. "Translating" typically refers to converting information from one form to another, which does not directly relate to the specific techniques used for fingerprint processing.