Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a cause of illegible fingerprints?

1. Insufficient ink

2. Failure to produce focal point

3. Incorrect lighting conditions

4. Skipping

The correct answer is: Incorrect lighting conditions

The option indicating incorrect lighting conditions is not considered a direct cause of illegible fingerprints. When taking fingerprints, the most critical factors that impact legibility are related to the actual fingerprinting technique and execution rather than the lighting conditions. Insufficient ink can lead to incomplete impressions of the fingerprint ridges, which results in missed details. Failure to produce a focal point can cause poor clarity in the captured print, leading to an inability to see distinctive ridge patterns clearly. Skipping, which can mean omitting certain areas when rolling or capturing the prints, results in sections of the fingerprint being absent or unclear. Each of these factors directly impacts the quality of the fingerprint impression. Lighting conditions, while they can affect how we perceive details, do not fundamentally alter the actual composition of the fingerprint itself. Proper lighting is essential to view the prints and the details therein, but it does not prevent the capturing of a clear, legible fingerprint if the technique used is correct. Thus, while good lighting can aid in the process, it is not a cause of illegibility in itself.