7 Unusual Places Fingerprints Have Been Found
A Forensics Week Spotlight
Forensics Week is about celebrating the science that solves cases and the professionals who make it happen. Examiners have documented that impressions can be recovered from a wide variety of unusual surfaces, extending far beyond the traditional ones encountered in casework.
Here are seven documented examples of surprising surfaces where fingerprints have been recovered. Each one highlights both the persistence of impressions and the creativity of forensic science.
1. Fruit and Vegetables
Fingerprints have been successfully recovered from produce including apples, onions, tomatoes, bananas, and even potatoes. Despite being soft, moist, and perishable, these everyday items have yielded identifiable impressions in controlled studies. The fact that grocery-store staples can preserve forensic evidence makes this one of the most unexpected surfaces on record.
2. Human Skin
Fingerprint evidence has been documented on human skin, including cadavers. While skin remains one of the most challenging substrates, multiple studies and case reports confirm that impressions can survive long enough to be observed and recorded. It stands as one of the rarest, but proven, examples of fingerprint recovery.
3. The Sticky Side of Tape
The adhesive side of duct tape, packing tape, and similar materials has repeatedly provided usable fingerprints in criminal investigations. Though adhesives collect dust, fibers, and debris, they also trap impressions that can directly link a suspect to the evidence. What criminals intend as a concealment tool often becomes an unexpected source of identification.
4. Submerged Objects
Prints have been recovered from objects retrieved after being submerged in water — from glass bottles to firearms. Research has demonstrated that immersion does not necessarily eliminate fingerprint evidence, and impressions can persist underwater for days or even weeks.
5. Burned or Charred Items
Fingerprints have been documented on fire-damaged evidence, including scorched glass, melted plastic, and charred containers. In some cases, heat or soot actually helped preserve impressions that might otherwise have been lost. Even at arson scenes, viable fingerprints can sometimes be recovered.
6. Currency and Receipts
Latent fingerprints have been observed on U.S. paper currency, polymer banknotes, and thermal receipts. Despite the fragility of these surfaces and the frequency of handling, impressions have been recovered in both laboratory studies and real cases. Money and receipts remain unlikely but proven carriers of fingerprint evidence.
7. The Inside of Gloves
Latex, nitrile, and rubber gloves often hold impressions from the inside surfaces. While intended to prevent fingerprint transfer, gloves can capture the wearer’s sweat and prints within the material itself. Case reports confirm that gloves sometimes incriminate their owner rather than conceal them.
Why These Cases Matter
Every unusual surface where a fingerprint has been recovered is more than just a quirky fact — it’s a testament to the skill and determination of forensic professionals. During Forensics Week, we honor the work you do every day to push the boundaries of science and bring clarity to complex cases.
