History of Fingerprinting Pioneers

Flashcards covering important figures, concepts, and contributions in the history of fingerprinting.

Sir William Herschel

1833-1917. A civil servant from India in 1853,

established the principles of persistence and immutability.

Fingerprints to prevent impersonation

Persistence

The principle that fingerprints remain unchanged over an individual's lifetime.

Immutability

The principle that fingerprints are unique to each individual.

Dr Henry Faulds

1843-1930. The first European to suggest the use of fingerprints in criminal investigations and the first to use a latent fingerprint to eliminate a suspect.

Impressions on Japanese pottery

Anthropometry

A system devised by Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) for classification based on body measurements. Taken into use in 1882.

Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914)

Created system Anthropometry (bertillonage)

Made chief of department of judicial identity.

Involved in the 1st recorded case of a conviction using fingerprints in Paris 1902.

Fingerprint Bureau

The first organized department for collecting and analyzing fingerprints, opened by Juan Vucetich in Argentina 1892.

Sir Francis Galton

1822-1911.

Nature vs Nurture.

developed a classification system for fingerprints. (L,W,A) - Galtons Details

Created a rudimentary system of classification based on four patterns.

Juan Vucetich

1858-1925.

Developed his own classification system which was used in spainish countries. His first experiment led to the 1st fingerprint bureau.

M. Forgeot

1891 French Criminologist.

Credited with using ink to recover latent prints on paper.

He also advocated the use of powders to develop the sweat marks.

Sir Edward Henry

1850-1931.

Henry Classification System

His system laid the groundwork for modern fingerprinting techniques.

Establishes the first uk FP bureau

Dactylography

The study of fingerprints and their use in identification.

Edmond Locard

1877-1966.

Locard’s exchange principle - every contact leaves a trace

‘Tripartite Rule’ - 12 Galton points = ident

He also studied Poroscopy and presented evidence in court in 1912.

Dermatoglyphics

The scientific study of fingerprints and skin patterns, particularly on the fingers, palms, and soles.

Nehemiah Grew

1641-1712

Lecture on interesting markings on fingers

Studies in epidermal ridges. Furrows, patterns and sweat pores

Sweat pores = little fountains