Identification: types of fingerprint impressions: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Identification: types of fingerprint impressions

Sample item

A burglar presses a fingertip into a block of soft putty on a window frame, leaving a three-dimensional impression of the ridges. What type of print is this?

ALatent printBPatent printCPlastic printDRolled print

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Plastic print

A plastic print is an impression in a soft material such as wax, putty or soap and can be seen and photographed directly. A patent print is visible because the finger carried blood, ink or grease, and a latent print is invisible until developed. A rolled print is the standardised print taken from a person.

Option by option

A. Latent print
A latent print is an invisible residue that needs development.
B. Patent print
A patent print is a visible mark in blood, ink or dirt and is not an impression in soft material.
C. Plastic print (correct)
Correct. An impression in a soft pliable material is a plastic print.
D. Rolled print
A rolled print is taken deliberately from a person by rolling the finger.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Plastic print. A plastic print is an impression in a soft material such as wax, putty or soap and can be seen and photographed directly.

Why is "Latent print" not the answer?

A latent print is an invisible residue that needs development.

Why is "Patent print" not the answer?

A patent print is a visible mark in blood, ink or dirt and is not an impression in soft material.

Why is "Rolled print" not the answer?

A rolled print is taken deliberately from a person by rolling the finger.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Identification: types of fingerprint impressions in Forensic Medicine. A patent print is visible because the finger carried blood, ink or grease, and a latent print is invisible until developed. A rolled print is the standardised print taken from a person.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Identification: types of fingerprint impressions?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.