Latent fingerprints on which surface are the most difficult for an examiner to detect and develop?

Latent fingerprints on cloth surfaces are indeed the most difficult for an examiner to detect and develop. The primary reason for this challenge lies in the porous and fibrous nature of fabric materials. Unlike hard, smooth surfaces such as glass or metal, the fibers in cloth can absorb moisture and oils from a fingerprint, which makes it harder to retrieve the impression. Additionally, the irregular surface texture of cloth can distort the print, complicating the development process.

In contrast, surfaces like glass and metal tend to retain clearer prints, allowing for more effective techniques to be applied, such as powder dusting or chemical methods. Plastic surfaces can also retain fingerprints quite well, as they often facilitate the adherence of fingerprint residues without significant absorption. Therefore, the characteristics of cloth, combined with the methods of fingerprint development, make it the most challenging surface for latent print examinations.