Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

What is a patent fingerprint?

1. A hidden fingerprint made visible through techniques

2. A visible fingerprint transferred from a substance like blood or ink

3. A fingerprint that is smudged or unclear

4. A fingerprint obtained from an inked card

The correct answer is: A visible fingerprint transferred from a substance like blood or ink

A patent fingerprint refers to a visible fingerprint that has been transferred onto a surface. This transfer can occur through various substances, such as blood, ink, or other materials that leave an impression of the ridges and patterns of the fingerprint. Because these fingerprints are naturally visible, they do not require any additional processing to be seen by the naked eye, which distinguishes them from latent fingerprints that need specific techniques to reveal. In this context, other options do not accurately describe patent fingerprints. For instance, fingerprints made visible through special techniques align more with latent fingerprints, which are not initially visible. Smudged fingerprints lack the clarity and quality needed for identification, while those obtained from an inked card are specifically recorded and not naturally occurring on a surface. Thus, the description of a fingerprint transferred from substances like blood or ink accurately captures the essence of a patent fingerprint.