Latent Prints and Footwear

Elimination standard prints (both fingers and palms) of anyone who had contact with the evidence should be submitted for comparison whether or not there is a suspect in the case. Providing elimination prints limits the amount of time spent searching victim prints through the AF​IS/NGI system. It also informs the agency if they have any evidence remaining on the case (if the latent prints get excluded to the victim/eliminations, they may then belong to a suspect). If elimination prints are requested via a WSCL Report, please provide them to the laboratory.

The WSCL accepts digital evidence images both physically on electronic storage media (e.g., CD, DVD) and electronically via ShareFile or e-mail. Please contact the Laboratory in your area to set up a ShareFile account. Images should be scaled, with the scale on the same plane as the impression, the impression should fill the frame, and a tripod should always be used. Impressions used for comparative analysis should be captured in the highest resolution lossless format available (i.e., RAW or TIF) and the impression should be in focus. All digital images of impressions should be submitted for examination even if the physical evidence is submitted as well.

• The value (whether monetary or sentimental) of items being submitted for latent processing should be ascertained prior to their submission to the WSCL. Chemical processes used by the Latent Prints and Footwear Unit can cause permanent damage to electronics, collectibles, antiques, etc. 
• If the evidence was processed by the agency prior to its submission to the WSCL, notations regarding prior processes performed should be indicated on the Transmittal to assist the laboratory on further processing and preservation. 
• Any latent prints or footwear observed on an item should be photographed properly with a scale prior to submission to the laboratory and these images should be submitted to the WSCL (see above) with the items. 
• Porous (i.e., paper) items should never be processed with fingerprint powders. 
• Submitters should refrain from making marks or notations, such as possible conclusions, on items of evidence (e.g., circling impressions) because latent impressions are often invisible to the naked eye and the markings can destroy or obliterate impressions that could have been of value for comparison purposes.

Rush cases, including court dates or court orders, violent crimes against persons (e.g., homicides, sexual assaults), and other high-profile cases are considered the highest priorities and will be worked first. All other cases are examined on a first in, first out basis. Please contact the WSCL to notify us of any updated information on court dates or reasons that cases need to be expedited.

Whenever possible, it is best to submit standard fingerprints and palm prints for any suspects, victims, or other individuals who may have been in contact with the item. Even though a person may have an arrest record in the State of Wisconsin, this does not always mean that they have the necessary standards on file for comparison with any unknown prints. Often times, fingerprint cards are missing some areas of friction ridge detail, such as the tips and sides of the fingers, and palm print standards are often not taken.

Due to the nature of AFIS/NGI and latent prints, even if a record is in the system it may not “hit”. Low quality, incompletely rolled fingerprint cards may not contain the detail observed in the latent print. Additionally, both latent and standard prints can show signs of movement and distortion which may interfere with them “hitting” in the system. While AF​​IS/NGI are valuable tools, they are not as accurate as a trained fingerprint examiner.

In order to obtain fingerprint/palm print standards from the Crime Information Bureau or the FBI, please provide the complete name and date of birth of the individual and a Wisconsin State Identification Number (SID#) and/or an FBI#, if possible. The WSCL is not able to acquire cards from other states using their SID#s, so if you cannot get an FBI number, please contact that state and request a comparison quality/certified fingerprint card print-out which can then be submitted to the laboratory. We cannot accept fingerprint cards for comparison via e-mail, however a digital copy of a standard can be submitted on electronic storage media or electronically via ShareFile or email if it is at least 1000ppi and in TIF format.

Law Enforcement applicants have only been retained in the AFIS since 2010. If you were hired prior to that date, or if you haven't applied for a Law Enforcement Officer position since then, your card is not in the system. Please submit standards for any law enforcement personnel who had contact with submitted evidence.