When lifting fingerprints using the dusting technique, what is the next step after dusting the surface?

After dusting the surface to detect fingerprints, the essential next step is to photograph and lift the print using adhesive tape. This process is critical in the fingerprint collection procedure for several reasons.

First, photographing the print serves as a permanent record of the print's location and details before it is lifted. This is especially important in forensic investigations, where the context of the evidence can be as significant as the evidence itself. It allows investigators to document the scene and the condition of the print at the time of collection.

Once photographed, using adhesive tape to lift the print allows for the preservation of the fingerprint pattern without damaging it. The tape captures the fine details of the print, which are vital for analysis and comparison with known prints.

The other options provided, such as placing the print on a colored card or exposing it to ultraviolet light, may not be appropriate as immediate subsequent steps after dusting. Placing the print on a card may occur after it has been lifted with tape, but it is not the immediate next step, which must focus on preserving and documenting the print itself. Rinsing the surface or treating the print with solvents could potentially damage the fingerprint and is not typically a standard practice following dusting.