If you notice only a small portion of a print when lifting, what should you do?

In situations where only a small portion of a print is visible, it's generally advised to avoid lifting it. This is because a print that is not sufficiently clear may not provide enough valuable detail for identification purposes. A small or incomplete print can lead to ambiguities and potential misinterpretations. It's essential in forensic work to collect evidence that can be reliably analyzed; hence, if the print does not meet the necessary criteria for clarity, it may not be worth documenting or lifting at that moment.

Continuing the search for a better print allows investigators to possibly find clearer and more complete impressions, which are significantly more useful for matching to a suspect or for comparison purposes later. This approach prioritizes the quality of the evidence collected, as forensic science relies heavily on the reliability and completeness of the evidence for accurate analysis and conclusions.