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| Fingerprinting |
| Even with the recent
advancements made in the field of DNA analysis, the science of fingerprinting,
dactylography, is still commonly used as a form of identification,
whether it has been taken in the traditional way using ink and paper
or scanned into a computer database. Fingerprint identification is
based on the classification of fingerprint patterns, which can not
only prove that a person was present at a crime scene, but can also
be used to compare with the stored fingerprints of millions of other
known criminals. |
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Select one of the topics below to read more:
--> Fingerprinting
History
--> The
ten print system
--> Assigning
values to prints
--> Improvements
to the system
--> Comparing
prints
--> Computer
comparison
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| Fingerprinting
History |
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| Sir Francis Galton was
one of the first to indulge himself into the possibilities of using
fingerprints as a form of identification. His work in this field inspired
the creation of an early fingerprinting filing system, known as 'icnofalagometrico',
developed by an Argentinian police member, Vucetich, whom had had
correspondence with Sir Francis. The first fingerprinting bureau was
opened by Vucetich in 1892, the same year Sir Francis released his
works on fingerprinting. |
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| The
Ten Print System |
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| In 1896,
an English fingerprint scientist by the name of Sir Henry Edward,
who was a pupil of Galton, created the 'ten print' system of classification,
which became the most commonly used technique until the introduction
of computers in the late 20th century. It was first implemented in
India in 1897 and had its own unique way of classification. Edward
divided the patterns in fingerprints into two groups known as value
patterns, which contained whorls, and the no-value patterns, which
contained loops and arches. |
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| Assigning
Values to Prints |
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A fingerprint that contains
a whorl pattern was given a number value that depended on which
finger the print came from. A thumb on the right hand containing
a whorl is valued with number 16, but the little finger on the left
hand containing a whorl was only given a value of 1. Edward then
grouped together values from certain fingers, forming a fraction-like
code for each set of ten fingerprints. Altogether, Edward created
1024 individual codes, his pioneering work ensured that any set
of prints could be filed using this code. His system of fingerprint
filing worked very well in identifying criminals working under aliases.
Suspected criminals were
fingerprinted and coded before being compared against known criminals
stored under the same code, making it much faster searching for
a match as investigators didn't have to search through the entire
collection. This system did however, have some drawbacks, as a whole
and complete set of ten fingerprints was required, making it difficult
to identify single prints found at a crime scene. A single print
identification system was later developed in the 1930's allowing
the classification and filing of single prints from individual fingers.
| Improvements
To The System |
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| If the print has an unusual
shape or characteristic, it is easily and quickly matched, but
in most cases, fingerprints found at a crime scene are rarely
fully intact and therefore influences the quality of the search.
As time progressed, fingerprint collections grew and the job
of searching them became more difficult and time consuming.
Finally in the 1960's, computer systems were introduced and
constantly improved until they were fast and efficient and able
to be used for public purposes. |
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| Comparing
Prints |
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| The comparison of fingerprints
is a time consuming procedure and requires experience and great
skill. Examiners look at the shape of the ridges
and compare the points where the ridges start, end, join and
split. The positions of short ridges, dots and any enclosed
areas are also noted. Examiners also search for points of similarity
between the fingerprint mark and the print to try and decide
if the two patterns match. |
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| Computer
Comparison |
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| The computer systems
used at present are able to scan fingerprints that have been
found at a crime scene and automatically find and record the
ridges, whorls, arches or loops contained within. This data
is then compared by the computer with information that is similar
in the database and finally produces a shortlist of matches
in order of likeliness. The crime scene fingerprint is compared
manually by investigators with the shortlist to identify any
matches. |
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