What are imprints characterized as in forensic terms?

In forensic terms, imprints are characterized as 2-dimensional contact markings because they are created when an object comes into direct contact with a surface, leaving behind a representation of its shape and texture. This type of evidence is crucial in forensic investigations, as it can often provide informative patterns that link a suspect or an object to a crime scene.

Imprints differ from three-dimensional markings, which involve depth and can be seen in things like tire tracks or shoe prints in soft ground. Residual prints tend to refer to marks left behind by contaminants or materials that may not provide a clear outline of the object that made them. Permanent records imply something that is unchanging, which does not accurately represent the temporary nature of imprints that could be easily smudged or altered depending on the surface they are found on. Thus, identifying imprints as 2-dimensional contact markings aligns with their nature and the way they can be collected and analyzed in forensic science.