These impressions are three-dimensional fingerprint patterns created when a finger presses against a soft, pliable surface. Examples include impressions left in clay, putty, wet paint, or even thick dust. The resulting ridge details are permanently recorded in the medium, forming a tangible reproduction of the friction ridge skin.
The examination of these types of impressions holds significant value in forensic investigations. Their durability offers a lasting record that can be photographed, cast, and analyzed using various techniques. Historically, their recovery and analysis have been crucial in associating individuals with crime scenes, providing strong corroborative evidence in legal proceedings and helping to reconstruct events.