When repeating the lifting process, what happens to the quality of each successive lift?

Repeating the lifting process on a latent print typically results in each successive lift becoming progressively weaker. This is due to several factors inherent in the lifting technique and the materials used.

When lifting a latent print, the first lift often captures the most detail because the adhesive material of the lifting medium makes direct contact with the print. However, as each subsequent lift is made, the lifting medium may pick up some of the residual substance from the first lift, which can lead to a transfer of less detail. Additionally, some of the print residue may come off with each lift, further diminishing the quality of information captured.

This degradation in quality is important for latent print examiners to understand because it highlights the need for care when attempting to lift prints multiple times. Effective practice usually involves lifting once and preserving that lift, rather than attempting to enhance or replicate the print quality through repeated lifts. This is why the progression in quality leads to a weaker result with each successive attempt.