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Taking Legible Fingerprints

From FBI, for About.com

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Preparing the Individual for Fingerprinting

Fingers to be printed must be clean and dry. Wiping the individual's fingers with an alcohol swab and then drying them should prevent perspiration from being a problem. If the individual's occupation has caused a wearing down or rough surface on the fingers, use lotion to soften the fingers (be sure to wipe the lotion off before printing).

The individual being fingerprinted should be asked to stand in front of and at a forearm's length from the fingerprinting device. The individual should stand to the right and rear of the person taking the fingerprints.

Encourage the individual being fingerprinted to relax. Ask them to look at some distant object to distract them from what you are doing.

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