Yes, clothes can hold fingerprints, but it's not always easy to recover them. While most fabrics are too porous to retain a clear print, some materials like fine polyester or nylon can hold latent prints. These prints are typically made of oils, sweat, or blood and can last for varying lengths of time depending on the type of residue and how the clothing is handled.
Factors influencing the retention of fingerprints on clothes:
- Fabric type: Smooth, non-porous fabrics like satin or gold lamé are more likely to hold prints than rough or porous materials.
- Residue type: Prints made of oils, sweat, or blood are more likely to be visible than those made of dry, flaky substances.
- Handling: Frequent washing or rough handling can destroy or distort fingerprints.
Recent advancements in fingerprint recovery:
- Scientists have developed new techniques to recover fingerprints from fabric, including methods that utilize DNA traces left behind.
- These advancements make it possible to retrieve fingerprint ridge detail and impressions from various fabrics, which was previously difficult.
Practical implications:
- Clothing can be valuable evidence in criminal investigations if fingerprints can be successfully recovered.
- The ability to retrieve fingerprints from clothing can help to identify suspects and link them to crime scenes.
