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Latent Print Examination » General Questions from Non-Fingerprint Experts » Legal to obtain fingerprints from discarded object found in a public place? « Previous Next »

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photog
Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 08:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)
I want to fingerprint an interestingly-shaped item that may contain fingerprints of people unknown to me. I do *not* want to try to discover the identity of anyone whose fingerprints are on the item, but I would like to use the prints in a photographic exhibition illustrating images of fingerprints. I am not trained or certified in any way to collect fingerprints--i.e. I am not a police officer or forensic expert or FBI employee, etc. Is it illegal for me to obtain, develop, and display
images of the fingerprints of an unknown person--NOT for identification purposes but for photographic purposes? If there are any laws prohibiting such actions, are they state-specific (eg, is it different in New York City)? Thanks very much for any help you can give me with this question.

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