What is a characteristic of porous surfaces in fingerprint development?

A characteristic of porous surfaces in fingerprint development is that they include paper and cardboard. These materials are able to absorb moisture and oils from the skin, making them suitable for revealing latent fingerprints. When a fingerprint is deposited on a porous surface, the sweat and oils can be absorbed into the material, allowing for various methods of development, such as using ninhydrin, which reacts with amino acids in the fingerprint residue, leading to color changes that make the prints visible.

In contrast, non-porous surfaces like glass or plastic do not absorb moisture, making fingerprint development more challenging as they require different techniques. The porous nature of materials like paper and cardboard enhances the ability to visualize fingerprints left behind, which is critical for forensic investigations.