Policy Text
Identification Bur eau Page 1 of 2 6 /02.1 (REV 1/07)
Handling Latent Prints
The purpose of this Order is to outline the procedure for filin g latent print cards found
during criminal investigations, m aintaining latent print cards and handling requests for
comparing latent print s with known persons.
I. Latent Print envelopes
A. All latent print cards submi tted to the Identification Burea u will be
contained in an Evidence Envel ope (Form 7400-146) and documente d on
a Property Receipt/Report (Form 7400-076A) and/or AFR Packing l ist. All
appropriate information on the fa ce of the envelope and on the Property
Receipt/Report and/or AFR Packi ng list will be completed.
B. After review by the Bureau Supervisor, the latent envelope w ill be placed
into the Cal-ID Incoming tray.
C. The latent envelope will be entered into the Latent Data Bas e computer
(Q&A). A bar code will be placed on the latent envelope and Pr operty
Receipt/Report and entered into the AFR if not previously enter ed.
D. The contents of the latent envelope will be reviewed for CAL -ID quality
prints.
II. Filing
A. The latent envelo pes will be filed in t he locked CAL-ID or l atent files
B. Latent print cards, photogr aphic negatives of latent prints and latent print
envelopes will not be released fr om the Identific ation Bureau, except when
required by court order or by court subpoena.
C. An “Out” card will be used whenever a latent print envelope is removed
from the file. The “Out” card will include the date, ID Techni cian’s initials,
reason for removal and the ca se number. The “Out” card will be placed
into the file location of the env elope being removed. The enve lope will be
re-filed immediately upon return , and the “Out” card removed.
D. Cases three (3) years and older (except for homicide cases) will be boxed
up and sent to storage at the S heriff’s Property Warehouse at l east once a
year, or as filing space and work ability of the files require, and booked as
evidence.
Identification Bur eau Page 2 of 2 6 /02.1 (REV 1/07) E. Latent envelopes will be colo r coded by year in the upper ri ght-hand
corner of the envelope.
III. Comparison Requests
A. Officers may request comparisons of latent prints to known p ersons, or
have latent prints entered into t he CAL-ID System. An Identifi cation
Bureau Request form will be comple ted containing all the reques ted
information.
B. A completed Identification Bureau Request form may be submit ted to the
Identification Bur eau by Email, FAX, Interoffice Mail, telephon e or in
person.
C. Crime Scene Investigation Offi cers submitting latent print c ards may
include information on possible su spect(s) in the “Remarks” sec tion of the
envelope.
D. Requests for comparisons recei ved in the Identification Bure au will be
placed into the Identification Bureau Supervisor’s mailbox to r eview.
E. Requests will be processed in o rder received, and/or based o n priority.
F. An Identification Bureau S upervisor must approve requests fo r a “Rush”
comparison.
IV. Documentation
A. Reports of latent print comparis ons are to include informati on from the
evidence envelope regarding the scene from which the latents we re found
so that the requestor may know w hich latents were compared.
B. Comparisons which result in identifications are to further i nclude
information from the lift card r egarding the specific latents w hich were
identified.
C. Latent fingerprint comparisons t hat result in a positive ide ntification must
be examined and verified by another experienc ed latent examiner .
1. Reports must reflect the names and badge numbers of both
examiners.
Appendices:
Evidence Envelope (Form 7400-146)
Property Receipt/Report (Form 7400-076A)
Identification Bu reau Request form
“Out” card