Final answer:
Instant glue is used to preserve and lift fingerprints, not to remove, alter, or erase them. It captures the detail of the fingerprint when the glue polymerizes upon contact with the oils and moisture within the print.
Step-by-step explanation:
Instant glue can be used to preserve and lift fingerprints at a crime scene. It does not remove, alter, or erase fingerprints. The adhesive in instant glue, when exposed to the moisture and oils in a fingerprint, will polymerize and harden, effectively capturing the print in detail. This hardened residue can be lifted from the surface, maintaining the integrity of the fingerprint pattern for further analysis.
In a broader context related to forensic science, gel electrophoresis is another method used in DNA analysis, unrelated to the function of instant glue in fingerprinting. However, both techniques are essential in crime investigation. Gel electrophoresis involves extracting DNA from body fluids, applying restriction enzymes and PCR amplification, loading it onto an agarose gel, and using electric current to separate DNA fragments based on size. This process creates a DNA pattern or profile that is distinctive to each individual, aiding in the identification process.