types of fingerprint powder
Silk Black Latent Print Powder. The standard in black fingerprint powder. The most popular of our Oxide latent powders, Silk Black fingerprint powder features micro-milling to assure the finest quality, and is one of the most versatile powders available. Sirchie has followed this same formulation for more than sixty years, which attests to its popularity.
The black powder is the most popular of the colors because the ridges of the print contrast against the white of the backing card. The examiner then compares the latent black print to the inked fingerprint that he is trying to match. Silver/gray powder should be used on a dark background for contrast purposes.