Which of the following is an example of a "plastic print"?

Which of the following is an example of a "plastic print"?

• A. Fingerprint on glass
• B. Footprint in sand
• C. Shoe print in wax
• D. Fingerprint on a smooth surface

Answer: (C)

A "plastic print" refers to a three-dimensional impression made by a patterned surface, allowing for the detail of the pattern to be retained in a substrate that takes its shape. Choosing the option that describes a shoe print in wax is correct because the wax allows for the transfer of the detailed grooves and patterns of the shoe sole, creating a lasting impression. This type of print is distinct because it can hold the fine details in a way that other materials, like glass or sand, cannot. Fingerprints on smooth surfaces, whether glass or smooth surfaces in general, are often considered latent prints, which are two-dimensional and require specific techniques to reveal and collect them. In contrast, a footprint in sand, while it is an impression, does not maintain the level of detail in a more durable medium like wax does, making it a less suitable example of a plastic print.

A "plastic print" refers to a three-dimensional impression made by a patterned surface, allowing for the detail of the pattern to be retained in a substrate that takes its shape. Choosing the option that describes a shoe print in wax is correct because the wax allows for the transfer of the detailed grooves and patterns of the shoe sole, creating a lasting impression.

This type of print is distinct because it can hold the fine details in a way that other materials, like glass or sand, cannot. Fingerprints on smooth surfaces, whether glass or smooth surfaces in general, are often considered latent prints, which are two-dimensional and require specific techniques to reveal and collect them. In contrast, a footprint in sand, while it is an impression, does not maintain the level of detail in a more durable medium like wax does, making it a less suitable example of a plastic print.