PrinTips01 - Magnetic Latent Print Development Methods

Magnetic latent fingerprint powder was first introduced in the 1970s.

Since then it has enjoyed widespread use among crime scene units around the world. Magnetic powder has several major benefits for the user:

1. It makes crime scene clean-up so much simpler.  
2. It is very economical since less powder is used to cover a specific surface
3. Magnetic powder is applied with a magnetic wand. No brush is needed. The powder forms the brush as it is suspended from the wand. Only the powder touches the surface, which eliminates any possibility of damaging or brushing away fragile latent prints.
4. This powder may be used on virtually any surface except those containing ferrous (iron/steel) metals.
5. Magnetic powders are currently available in a variety of colors—to contrast with the background and for good photographic contrast.
6. A number of fluorescent formulas of magnetic powders provide superior results on multi-colored backgrounds.

Learn more about your choices of development methods in this easy-to-download publication:

Latent Print Overview of Development Techniques

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