Where does pressure distortion occur in relation to friction ridges?

Pressure distortion occurs on the lateral or horizontal plane because this is where friction ridges are most susceptible to changes in pressure during the act of fingerprinting. When a finger is pressed against a surface, the unique patterns of the ridges can be altered due to the angle and force applied, leading to variations in the appearance of the ridge formations. This type of distortion affects how the ridges are recorded, making it crucial in both the collection and analysis of latent prints.

The other choices do not accurately describe where pressure distortion usually takes place. For instance, specifying distortion occurs only vertically overlooks how horizontal pressure affects ridge clarity. Stating that it only happens when fingers are dry does not account for the fact that even moist fingers can produce distortion through varying pressure applications. Lastly, suggesting that distortion occurs solely in the upward direction is misleading, as distortion can manifest in multiple directions due to the dynamic nature of the fingerprinting process. Thus, understanding pressure distortion as occurring primarily on the lateral or horizontal plane is essential for accurate fingerprint analysis and interpretation.