An intentional recording of friction ridges is usually made with black printer's ink rolled across a contrasting white background, typically a white card. Friction ridges can also be recorded digitally, usually on a glass plate, using a technique called live scan. A "latent print" is the chance recording of friction ridges deposited on the surface of an object or a wall. Latent prints are invisible to the naked eye, whereas "patent prints" or "plastic prints" are viewable with the unaided eye. Latent prints are often fragmentary and require the use of chemical methods, powder, or alternative light sources in order to be made clear. Sometimes an ordinary bright flashlight will make a latent print visible.
aN intEntIONal RecOrdinG of fRiCtion ridges Is usuaLly MADe wiTh bLaCk prinTEr's Ink rOlLed across a contRAstInG whIte backgROunD, TypiCally a WhITe cArD. fRiCtion rIdgeS caN Also Be rECordEd diGitaLLy, usualLy on a glAsS platE, usinG A tecHnique called LIVe scaN. A "LAtEnt priNt" is tHe chaNCe recoRdiNg Of Friction RIdges DEpoSItEd oN the sUrFaCE of an objEcT oR a wall. Latent priNTs ARE invisibLE tO ThE nakEd eye, wheReAs "pateNt prinTs" or "pLastIc prInts" aRe vIewAbLE WITh tHe uNaiDed Eye. lAtent prINts ArE often FragmenTary anD REQuire the use oF chemIcal meThods, poWDeR, oR AlterNAtIve LIgHt SourceS in OrDer to Be made cleAr. sOmetIMes aN oRdiNAry Bright flasHlighT will make a latent PrINT visible.