Will soaking my fingers in water for 4 hours before my fingerprinting session make my fingerprints more or less usable/traceable when they are entered into a government database?

Soaking your fingers in water for an extended period, such as four hours, may affect the texture and condition of your fingerprints. Prolonged exposure to water can lead to skin softening and may alter the outer layer of the skin, which could temporarily change the appearance of your fingerprints. However, while hydrated skin might be less prone to smudging, it can also make the fingerprint ridges less defined if the skin becomes overly soft or wrinkled. The usability and traceability of your fingerprints ultimately depend on the quality of the impression taken during the fingerprinting session. In general, it is best to avoid soaking your fingers before fingerprinting to ensure that your fingerprints remain clear and distinct for proper capture and processing by the printing equipment. If you are concerned about your fingerprints being detectable, it's advisable to follow standard practices and not make any alterations to their condition right before fingerprinting.