Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

What is the simplest lighting technique to enhance a latent print?

1. Backlighting

2. Diffuse Lighting

3. Oblique Lighting

4. Flash Lighting

The correct answer is: Oblique Lighting

Oblique lighting is considered the simplest and most effective technique to enhance latent prints. This method involves illuminating the surface at an angle rather than directly from above. The key advantage of using oblique lighting is that it creates shadows and highlights, which can help reveal details that are not visible under even lighting conditions. This technique is particularly useful for bringing out the ridges and valleys of a latent print, making them more distinct and easier to photograph or lift. While backlighting and diffuse lighting can also enhance prints, they are generally less effective for this specific purpose. Backlighting can sometimes obscure print details, and diffuse lighting often leads to a flatter overall image that might not reveal the characteristics of the print as clearly. Flash lighting can create harsh highlights and shadows that may not provide a clear view of the latent print details, making it less suitable compared to oblique lighting for this task.