Rubber lifters are particularly useful for lifting latent prints from which type of surfaces?

Rubber lifters are especially effective for lifting latent prints from curved surfaces. This is primarily due to their flexibility and ability to conform to the contours of irregular or cylindrical objects, making it possible to capture clear impressions from prints that may be distorted on such surfaces.

When a rubber lifter is used, the pliability of the material allows it to make firm contact with the print, effectively transferring the latent impression onto the lifter itself. This capability is crucial when dealing with objects like bottles, pipes, or other rounded items, where the curvature presents challenges for lifting prints using more rigid materials.

In contrast, while rubber lifters can still be used on flat, rough, or transparent surfaces, these surfaces do not require the same level of adaptability that curved surfaces do, therefore highlighting the unique advantage rubber lifters offer specifically in those instances.