Exact Answer: Very long time depending on the type of surface
When one thinks about fingerprinting, the first thing that comes to mind is criminals and law enforcement. However, many people don’t know that fingerprints have a host of other uses – one of which is identification in the event of an emergency.
In general, fingerprints last for quite a while – but they can be affected by various external factors. Many factors like surface determine how long fingerprints last and some of the things that can impact their longevity.
How Long Do Fingerprints Last?
| Type | Duration |
| On paper | 40+ years |
| On metal | 2 ½ + years |
Fingerprints are one of an individual’s most unique and personal aspects and can last a lifetime. They are formed in the womb and remain unchanged throughout an individual’s life.
Fingerprints are composed of sweat and sebum, which are proteins. The ridges on fingerprints form as the skin cells on the surface of the fingertips push against each other to create friction. The sweat and sebum mix with bacteria and dead skin cells to form the dark lines in fingerprints.
Fingerprints can last a lifetime if they are not affected by environmental factors like moisture or ultraviolet radiation. Fingerprints can also be affected by dust, dirt, oils, and other contaminants. If fingerprints are affected by environmental factors, they will fade over time and may eventually disappear.
Fingerprints work as evidence in criminal cases. To determine how old a fingerprint is, experts look at the levels of certain proteins in print.
The amount of these proteins changes over time, so by comparing the level of proteins in a fingerprint to a database of protein levels from known fingerprints, experts can tell how old the print is. One can use this information to help investigators identify suspects or rule out potential suspects.
The findings indicate that an underwater weapon may be latent print-ready for up to 70 days in ideal circumstances.
Fingerprints on paper, cardboard, and unfinished wood can survive for up to 40 years unless exposed to water, and contaminated transfer prints can even last indefinitely.
Why Would Fingerprints Last So Long?
Fingerprints are incredibly resilient because they are composed of a protein called keratin. This protein is available in both the nails and the hair, which gives them durability.
In order for fingerprints to be left behind, the ridges on the surface of the skin must be full of sweat or another form of moisture. The ridges on the surface of fingertips are especially conducive to retaining moisture because they are in tiny bumps that create a lot of surface area.
The ridges on their fingerprints help increase their resistance to abrasion, so they last so long, even after one has died. Fingerprints are one of the first things to disappear on a body, so one can use them to identify someone even after they have passed away.
To determine whether or not fingerprints are new or old, experts use fingerprint ridge enhancement. This process makes it easier to see the detail in fingerprints by increasing the contrast between ridges and valleys.
One can perform fingerprint ridge enhancement manually using a magnifying glass or special software.
By making the ridges more visible, experts can determine whether or not they have been left on a surface recently or if they are older and left on a surface for some time.
If one wants the police to find out the fingerprints, it depends on the circumstances. In some cases, one can match fingerprints almost immediately.
Conclusion
When a finger touches something, it leaves an impression of its fingerprint behind. This happens because when the finger presses down on a surface, it pushes some of the sweat or moisture out from between the bumps on the skin’s surface and into whatever it touches.
Sometimes, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The process starts with the police taking fingerprints of all the people at the crime scene. They will then send those fingerprints to the FBI or another agency specializing in fingerprint identification.
That agency will then try to match the fingerprints with those in their database and send the fingerprints out to other agencies worldwide.
