Which statement is true about firearms recovered in relation to water handling and processing?

• A. DNA and latent processing
• B. Fingerprint processing only
• C. No processing
• D. Ballistics testing

Answer: (A)

When a firearm is recovered from water, you pursue both DNA analysis and latent print processing because moisture can affect evidence differently on the metal surface. Water can wash away or obscure fingerprints, so latent print development should still be attempted with appropriate techniques. At the same time, DNA evidence—often present as skin cells or sweat residues—can survive wet conditions, so collecting DNA swabs and submitting them for analysis increases the chance of linking a person to the weapon. This dual approach maximizes available evidence. Ballistics testing is an important part of firearm examination, but it addresses different information and doesn’t replace the need to look for both DNA and latent prints in water-handling scenarios.