ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

The term used for fingerprints that can be seen without any processing is "patent." Patent fingerprints are formed when a finger with some substance, such as ink or blood, makes contact with a surface, leaving a visible impression. These fingerprints are distinct and can be easily observed without the need for additional methods or techniques to enhance their visibility.

In contrast, latent fingerprints are not visible to the naked eye and require processing, typically through powders or chemical methods, to be made visible. Impressed fingerprints refer to prints left in soft materials, like wax or clay, where the depth of the impression can be significant, but they still differ from patent prints in visibility and the nature of the substrate. The term "incomplete" does not apply to fingerprints in this context, as it does not describe a specific type of fingerprint but rather implies that something is missing or not fully formed. Therefore, understanding the distinct characteristics of each term helps clarify why "patent" is the correct choice for visible fingerprints.