ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

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What is a patent fingerprint?

The fingerprint of a deceased person
Fingerprints that are visible, usually found in blood or oil
A fingerprint with a single delta
A fingerprint that is not visible without assistance

The correct answer is: Fingerprints that are visible, usually found in blood or oil

A patent fingerprint refers to a type of fingerprint that is readily visible and can be observed directly without the need for any special treatment or enhancement. This type of fingerprint is often left behind in substances like blood, grease, or any other medium that can create a clear impression of the ridges and patterns present on a person's fingers. The visible nature of patent fingerprints allows forensic investigators to collect them easily at a crime scene, providing vital evidence for criminal investigations. In contrast, latent fingerprints, which are not visible to the naked eye and require specific techniques to be made visible, are a different type altogether. Moreover, a fingerprint having a single delta relates to the structural characteristics of the fingerprint itself, rather than its visibility or method of recovery, and therefore does not define what constitutes a patent fingerprint.