How long will fingerprints last on a plastic surface?

Much depends on the conditions where the plastic is stored. Fingerprints are left behind by the transfer of oils on the surface of the skin. In direct sunlight or high heat conditions, these oils can degrade over time. read more

On non-porous surfaces, they can also last a very long time. The nature of the matrix of the latent print will often determine whether it will survive environmental conditions. For example, a greasy print on a piece of glass may survive months under water, or many decades in a basement. read more

In some instances, fingerprints have been discovered on objects that have not been disturbed for more than 40 years. Sometimes prints cannot be not found on an object or surface that was recently tampered with as most prints are removed when the surface is cleaned. read more