Which type of fingerprint is typically discovered at a crime scene?

The type of fingerprint that is most commonly found at a crime scene is the latent fingerprint. Latent fingerprints are not immediately visible to the naked eye and are created by the natural oils and sweat from the skin. They require special techniques and chemicals, such as powder dusting or chemical treatments, to reveal them for analysis.

Latent fingerprints are often found on various surfaces at a crime scene, such as glass, metal, and plastic, where the fingerprint oils have been deposited. The ability to recover latent fingerprints makes them a critical piece of evidence in forensic investigations, as they can link a suspect to a scene or item.

Other types of fingerprints, such as visible fingerprints, result from fingers that come into contact with a substance like ink or blood, making them immediately apparent. Plastic fingerprints are impressions left in soft materials, such as wax or clay, which occur less frequently at crime scenes. Reflective fingerprints is not a standard term in forensic science, so it does not apply here. The significance and commonality of latent fingerprints in evidence collection underscore why they are typically discovered at crime scenes.