Fingerprint hinge lifters are made from .005 Mylar with a special adhesive. What covers the adhesive side of the lifter?

Fingerprint hinge lifters are specialized tools used in the field of latent print examination. They consist of a thin layer of Mylar, which is a type of polyester film, and they are designed with a special adhesive that helps to make a solid impression of fingerprints without disturbing the latent prints themselves.

The adhesive side of the lifter is covered by a thin plastic separator. This protective layer is crucial because it prevents the adhesive from sticking prematurely to surfaces or materials before the lifter is applied to the fingerprint. Once the lifter is ready to be used, removing the separator exposes the adhesive, allowing it to be directly applied to the area containing the latent print.

Using a thin plastic separator maintains the integrity of the adhesive, ensuring that it retains its stickiness and effectiveness when needed. This feature allows examiners to collect fingerprints without contamination or loss of detail, which is essential for accurate forensic analysis.