The purpose of this study is to investigate the deterioration rate of friction ridge impressions submerged in a natural aquatic environment. Tests were performed to determine whether the recoverability and individualizing power differed between midway and bottom submerged samples. Lastly, an attempt was made to establish timeline regarding the maximum time a submerged friction ridge impression will retain its individualizing power. Friction ridge impressions were deposited on 30 metallic knife blades for each submergence interval and submerged midway (1.5 m from water surface) and to the bottom of a basin (3.0 m) in Lake Ontario. The deterioration rate was found to be faster in midway submerged samples compared to bottom submerged samples (p-value = 0.000). It was also discovered that midway submerged samples lose their individualizing power between 24 and 168 hours, whereas bottom submerged samples could still be retrieved and individualized after 168 hours of submergence. This is a preliminary study and future research is needed to augment and expand on friction ridge versus sediment interactions. (Published Abstract) Figures and references