What is the purpose of photographing a latent print before lifting it?

Photographing a latent print before lifting it serves multiple important purposes, one of the most significant being to create a permanent record in case of loss. This means that if the lifting process doesn't go as planned and the print is damaged or lost, there is still a documented visual reference of the original latent print. This photographic record can be crucial for investigations, allowing for accurate reporting and analysis later on.

While there may be benefits associated with enhancing the visibility of the print or improving the quality of the lift, the primary reason and focus is the documentation of the print's condition before any attempts to physically lift it. This approach helps maintain the integrity of the evidence and ensures that there is a clear visual record available for legal purposes or further examination.