Which type of fingerprint is most likely to be found impressed in soft wax?

The type of fingerprint that is most likely to be found impressed in soft wax is plastic fingerprints. Plastic fingerprints are actual impressions made by the ridges of a fingertip in a softer material. This can include substances like wax, clay, or even dust. When a finger presses into these materials, it leaves a three-dimensional impression of the fingerprint pattern.

The other fingerprint types—loop, whorl, and arch—refer to the patterns themselves rather than their impression capabilities in soft materials. While all are legitimate classifications of fingerprints based on the ridge patterns, they do not inherently describe the way in which they can leave impressions in soft substances. Only plastic fingerprints are directly related to being found in such a medium, highlighting their unique characteristic of leaving physical traces rather than mere prints on surfaces.