How to Lift a Fingerprint
Want to try your hand at being a real CSI? Lifting fingerprints is one of the easier ways to try being one. This method will usually work on any smooth and non-porous surfaces. Read on to learn how.
Tools
Fingerprint powder
Fingerprint brush
Clear tape, at least an inch and a half wide
White card
Eraser
Soda can, or any smooth non-porous surface
Procedure
First, make sure that the pads of your fingers have body oil by pressing them against tip of your nose or the back of your neck. Body oil is what leaves behind fingerprints, so if you can, try to do this procedure in even a slightly humid area. Cold air or a cold temperature can dry up your body oil, and you will have a harder time procuring it.
Press the pad of your finger against the soda can. It doesn’t have to be too hard, just enough for the whole finger to rest on the can briefly. Try to lift your finger straight back up, or at the same angle you used when pressing your finger down. This will prevent smudging the fingerprint.
Use a small amount of fingerprint powder on your brush. You can actually just use the small amount found in the inside cover of the powder container. If you can’t find fingerprint powder anywhere, you can finely grind pencil lead until it resembles a fine dust.
Gently brush the powder over the fingerprint area with fine, circular motions. As soon as you start seeing the fingerprint with the powder, you can stop brushing and start preparing for lifting the fingerprint. If the soda can is light-colored, all the more the better for you, as you’ll be able to see it better.
Pull your tape, making sure it is at least twice as big as the fingerprinte area. Have someone hold the can for you while you are securing the tape on it.
Place one end of the tape at least half an inch away from where the fingerprint starts. Stretch out the tape and press down in one smooth movement, making sure that there are no air bubbles left in the tape.
Use an eraser to rub over the print to make sure that the fingerprint is lying flat against the tape.
Carefully pull the tape back up from the can from one end and roll it at the other end. This will prevent the tape from sticking to you or to itself.
Put the white card lying on a hard, flat surface. Lay down the tape the same way you did with the soda can, flattening it again to ensure there are no airbubbles.
You now have a latent fingerprint on the white card. You can study your print in further detail using a magnifying glass.