Basic Latent Print Lifting, Documentation, Lifting-Difficult & Textured Surfaces

Basic Latent Print Lifting, Documentation & Lifting from Difficult Surfaces
16-Hour Practical Training for Beginners & Developing Crime Scene Personnel



This 16-hour course is designed for both true beginners and those with some prior experience in lifting latent prints who want to strengthen their skill set and increase their confidence in the field. Whether you are brand new to crime scene work or have lifted prints before but want to improve your technique, this course provides the essential foundation needed to properly locate, lift, document, and preserve latent print evidence.

Training begins with core fundamentals, including the correct method for labeling and documenting latent lift cards—one of the most overlooked yet critical steps in the chain of evidence. Students will learn how improper or incomplete documentation can affect an entire case and how to ensure lifts are court-ready from the start. The course reinforces the connection between what is recovered at the scene and how that evidence translates into a forensic report.

The second half of the class introduces advanced lifting methods for recovering latent prints from challenging and textured surfaces—areas where many beginners struggle or assume prints cannot be developed. Through guided, hands-on instruction, students will practice proven techniques for lifting prints from difficult materials, gaining the skills needed to succeed in real-world casework.

By the end of this two-day course, participants will be able to confidently lift prints from both standard and non-traditional surfaces, properly document their work, and understand how their efforts contribute to forensic analysis and courtroom presentation. This training is ideal for crime scene investigator, evidence technicians, patrol officers, and entry-level forensic lab personnel.