What critical aspect should be ensured when taking fingerprints from inmates?

The critical aspect when taking fingerprints from inmates is ensuring they are legible. Legible fingerprints are essential for accurate identification and record-keeping, as they provide vital information that can be used in various legal and administrative contexts. If fingerprints are not clear, it can lead to misidentification or issues in processing the inmate's information within the justice system. Legibility involves not only the quality of the print itself but also ensuring the proper technique and conditions are used during the fingerprinting process, such as ensuring that the fingers are clean and not obstructed.

In contrast, using ink only may not be the best practice since digital fingerprinting techniques have become increasingly common and may provide better results. Obtaining fingerprints in a noisy environment can lead to distractions and mistakes, potentially compromising the quality of the prints. Recording statements might be important, but it is not directly related to the fingerprinting process itself and would not affect the primary goal of accurate identification. Therefore, ensuring the fingerprints are legible stands out as the most critical aspect in this context.