Latent Print Unit

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) Forensic Laboratory Latent Print Units are located in both the Headquarters and Southern Forensic Laboratories. These Units serve the needs of all law enforcement agencies throughout New Mexico.

The Latent Print Unit uses scientific means to process evidence from criminal investigations, for the presence of latent (invisible) and patent (visible) finger and palm prints. Prints are developed and/or enhanced using various powders, chemical, and illumination techniques.

These prints are then visually compared to known inked fingerprints of a suspect or victim, or entered into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, (AFIS).

AFIS is a computer database which enables unidentified latent fingerprints recovered from crime scenes or evidence to be compared with 400,000 fingerprint records from known individuals within the database. By identifying the source of a print or linking prints between crimes, important investigation information can be developed.

AFIS Identification

The Latent Print Unit also performs footwear examinations and comparisons. Typically, shoeprints or impressions recovered from crime scenes are compared with footwear taken from one or more suspects. Chemical treatments of the prints often are used to enhance the shoeprints, prior to performing the comparisons.

Crimescene Shoeprint

Latent Print examiners provide expert testimony regarding their findngs and opinions, in the courts throughout our state. They provide instruction regarding collection and preservation of latent print evidence, for NMSP and Basic Training academies, and provide additional technical assistance to law enforcement agencies, as requested.

Latent Fingerprint

The Latent Print Unit staff are able to provide technical assistance in the collection and preservation of latent fingerprint evidence. They may be reached as follows:

Contact Information for North and South DPS Forensics Labs

Tips

• Never package items of evidence in plastic. Always use paper bags or cardboard boxes.
• Always collect elimination prints and/or suspect standards (finger and palm), at the time of arrest.
• If your intent is to submit evidence to the laboratory for latent print analysis, we suggest that you not process the evidence prior to submission, or at least seek advice on how to properly process the item(s).