CLPEX Chat Board

I have a quick question for the group. Currently, in processing, we circle our latents and write P1, P2, etc (for possible suitable latent) and have a scale next to the latent with our Case number, Item number initials and date on the scale. We are thinking about possibly changing this and placing the scale next to the latents with the same info, but instead of circling each latent individually (like if you have a group of touches) placing a marker next to the group and taking an image. That way the examiners have less photographs to look at and analyze. We will still obviously take individual images of latents and if there are simultaneous impressions take individuals as well as groups. I was just wondering if anyone else does something similar, and if so, what type of adhesive number, or letter, arrow, etc you use for your images.

What do your customers the latent examiners want? Start there. In the two processing units that I've worked in, we didn't and don't circle or mark latents at all, we photograph(ed) areas of ridge detail and let the examiners determine what was/is usable and they labeled it however they wanted to based on their procedures. Ideally, our threshold of suitable for preservation was less than but as close as possible to what would be considered usable. In the previous unit I worked in, areas of ridge detail were labeled P1, P2, etc on a photo log like sheet, in the current unit, we just describe the area on a photo log. Scale labeling sounds pretty consistent with what I'm used to. Typically I never use an adhesive scale, at least not with the adhesive exposed, just set a small scale on the same plane as the latent.

I might be misreading your post, but how would a change in how you mark latents result in fewer images? As far as I know, the only way to have examiners look at fewer images is to take fewer images.

For what it's worth, your photography process sounds pretty consistent with what I'm used to. Crop as much as you can but if it looks like a group or palm, go as large as you can but not so large you get to less than 1000ppi.