A police expert took Home Office minister Lord Bassam's fingerprints when he launched a police handbook on the crime-busting technique.

The former leader of Brighton and Hove Council had prints of both hands taken when he unveiled the Fingerprint Development Handbook.

But his prints will not remain on file and were handed back to him as a souvenir.

Lord Bassam, who lives in Brighton, said: "I will take the evidence with me. My kids will be most amused by this."

The book will give police a helping hand by providing information for officers attending crime scenes on how to successfully recover fingerprints.

It also gives advice on the latest techniques, chemicals and processes available.

Lord Bassam said Britain probably had the leading fingerprint service internationally and the handbook would be supplied worldwide.

Organisations including the US Secret Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Israeli police will receive it.

Lord Bassam said: "This handbook is the leading guidance in the field. Fingerprint technology is developing at a rapid rate.

"We have some of the most modern technology available to ensure the faintest trace of someone's presence is clearly picked up."

The handbook was launched at Devon and Cornwall Police's fingerprint bureau in Exeter.

It was produced by the Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch.

The handbook will be supplied to over 4,000 scenes-of-crime officers across the UK.

It coincides with trials of electronic fingerprinting equipment being tested by police forces in England and Wales.

The high-tech equipment is set to revolutionise fingerprinting methods.

Suspects will place their hands on a clear glass panel and their details will be recorded digitally.

The details will then be sent electronically to a national database in London, providing an identity within minutes if the suspect is known.