NCJ Number
168878
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 47 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1997) Pages: 20-28
Date Published
1997
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In the late 1800's, a struggle began between emerging fingerprints and entrenched anthropometrics as to which would be the preferred method of personal identification.
Abstract
Interest in fingerprints sometimes intruded upon the prevailing anthropometric system devised by Bertillon, a French police clerk. Bertillon based his method on accurate speculation about what constituted human individuality. Additional inquiries were conducted by Grew, Malpighi, and Purkinje into the skin's physiological structure and properties and the use of fingerprints in personal identification. In 1880, Faulds advocated the potential of fingerprints, although he limited his suggestions primarily to the area of criminal investigation. Galton extended the work of Bertillon and developed a fingerprint sorting and filing system. Later, Vucetich demonstrated the feasibility of Galton's proposal and his introduction of fingerprints to Argentine law enforcement provided the resolving mechanism for a murder investigation involving the infamous Rojas case. During the last half of the 19th century, Europeans embraced the world of science and promoted the use of anthropometric methods. Recognizing shortcomings of Galton's system, Henry devised a fingerprint classification system and advocated its use in India. The decision to adopt fingerprints throughout India in 1897 proved to be the most important factor in the decision to use fingerprints 4 years later in Great Britain.