When should fingerprint elimination be conducted?

Fingerprint elimination should be conducted before submitting prints to the Latent Print Detail. This is a crucial step in the investigation process as it helps to narrow down the list of potential contributors to the fingerprints found at a crime scene. Implementing fingerprint elimination early ensures that only relevant prints are forwarded for analysis, which maximizes the efficiency of the investigation.

By eliminating known prints, investigators can focus their attention on latent prints that may belong to unknown suspects, thereby enhancing the likelihood of identifying possible culprits. This process involves checking the known prints of individuals who have legitimate reasons for being present at the scene, such as witnesses, first responders, or residents, to determine whether their prints match those found.

Conducting this elimination before submitting prints helps streamline the investigative process and minimizes the workload for the Latent Print Detail, allowing them to concentrate on prints that could potentially lead to new leads.