Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting

An infallible means of personal identification used to establish identities of criminals.

No two fingerprints are ____

Alike

What is the most commonly used form of forensic evidence?

Fingerprints are the most commonly used form of forensic evidence worldwide.

Identification efficiency

Fingerprints solve ten times more unknown suspect cases than DNA.

Early identification methods

Before fingerprinting, law enforcement relied on visual memories to recognize offenders.

Why were photos and photo memory no good?

Visible human characteristics can change, but fingerprints remain constant.

What did China use in 3rd century BC?

Thumbprints were used on clay seals in China to sign documents.

What did the Babylonians use in 1,000-2,000 B.C?

Fingerprints were used on clay tablets in ancient Babylon for business transactions.

Malpighi's discoveries (1686)

Noted ridges on hands for grip and patterns in fingerprints using a microscope. He was also an anatomy professor.

Purkinje's thesis (1823)

Discussed nine fingerprint patterns without mention of their identification value. His observation started to lay groundwork for organization and filing.

Rolled impressions

Fingerprint impressions taken individually, rolling from one side of the nail to the other.

Plain impressions

Simultaneously taken prints without rolling, used to verify rolled impressions.

Fingerprinting preparation

Fingers must be clean and dry before taking fingerprints.

Fingerprinting technique

Guide the finger, roll it, and ensure the ink covers the nail edge and joint crease.

Sir William Herschel (1858)

First used hand prints to sign contracts with native Indians, realizing fingerprints are unique and permanent. Herschel’s fingerprinted himself for 50 years apart and realized that they did not change. 

Dr. Henry Faulds' contribution (1880)

A British surgeon who discussed fingerprints as a means of personal identification, and the use of printers ink as a method for obtaining fingerprints. He is credited with the first fingerprint identification: a greasy print left by a laboratory worker on a bottle of alcohol.

Bertillon System

A system measuring body parts to identify prisoners, used until the discovery of identical twins.

Identical twins case

The Bertillon System failed to distinguish between Will and William West, identified correctly by fingerprints.

Criminal history foundation

Fingerprints are the foundation of criminal history in police agencies.

Camera eyes

Early visual memory technique used by officers to identify offenders before fingerprinting.

Comparison against DNA

Fingerprints outperform DNA in identifying serious offenders.

Ink coverage

Proper rolling of fingers ensures complete coverage of ink for clear impressions.