Mr. Latona. I don't know.
Mr. Eisenberg. Is it normal to take a photograph of a print before it is lifted?
Mr. Latona. If it is fairly visible, yes.
Mr. Eisenberg. What is the purpose of the lift, as opposed to a photograph reproducing the print?
Mr. Latona. The purpose of the lift is simply to insure the probability of getting a good record of the print, because a lot of times when you photograph a print, you have to go through the process of having it developed and then printed and at the same time by lifting it you may, that would be an additional security that you are getting the best results.
Then you take your choice as to which result turns out the best.
Mr. Eisenberg. So these are alternative routes?
Mr. Latona. That is right.
Mr. Eisenberg. Lifting and photographing?
Mr. Latona. That is right. Well, primarily our recommendation in the FBI is simply every procedure to photograph and then lift. Then you choose the one which you feel gives you the best results in your final photograph.