How to Make a Lift a Print Kit

Make a lift-a-print kit and have fun sleuthing.

If you think someone has been messing with your belongings or you simply want to spend an afternoon playing detective, you can make your own print-lifting kit from a few ordinary items found around your home. While it's fun to capture fingerprints on your belongings, if you suspect a crime has been committed, don't try to lift prints on your own. Call law enforcement immediately.

Things You'll Need

• Small bag
• Tablespoon
• Talcum powder
• Cocoa powder
• Small paint brush
• Clear tape
• Black paper
• White paper

Instructions

1. Dust talcum powder or cocoa powder over the area you wish to lift fingerprints from. Use talcum powder for dark surfaces and cocoa powder for light surfaces.

2. Spread the powder evenly across the surface using a paintbrush. Don't press too hard; simply spread the powder. As you do this, the fingerprints should become visible to the naked eye.

3. Place a piece of tape over the visible print in the powdered area. Gently lift it from the surface, being careful not to touch the sticky side. Otherwise, you'll transfer your own print to the tape, voiding your results.

4. Place the tape onto a piece of black (for talcum powder) or white (for cocoa powder) paper. The fingerprint should be clear and easy to see on the paper.

References

• University of Tennessee: CSI - Dusting and Lifting Fingerprints