From Contact to Conviction: The Life Cycle of Latent Fingerprint Evidence

Author(s)	Mr. Md. Imran Wahab, Ms. Christine Loewenhagen
Country	India
Abstract	Latent fingerprint evidence plays a pivotal role in forensic science, yet its reliability depends on a rigorous, step-by-step life cycle rather than instantaneous identification. This paper examines the continuous trajectory of latent friction-ridge evidence—from initial deposition, substrate interactions, and persistence under environmental factors to scene recognition, meticulous documentation, and forensic photography. It evaluates chemical and physical development techniques (including powders, cyanoacrylate fuming, ninhydrin, and alternative light sources), sequential processing strategies, and proper chain-of-custody protocols. Furthermore, the paper analyzes laboratory methodology using the ACE-V framework, the supportive role of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS), and safeguards against cognitive bias such as Linear Sequential Unmasking (LSU). Comparative legal frameworks from India (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023) and the United States (Daubert standard) highlight that judicial admissibility hinges on procedural integrity, methodology, and contextual preservation rather than raw friction-ridge data alone.
Keywords	Latent Fingerprints, ACE-V Methodology, Evidence Life Cycle, Chain of Custody, Sequential Processing, AFIS, Cognitive Bias.
Field	Biology > Bio + Chemistry
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-14

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research