Classification and uses of finger prints / by Sir E.R. Henry.

  • Edward Henry
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Classification and uses of finger prints / by Sir E.R. Henry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    15/168 page 5
    after death, decomposition sets in. In dealing with the subject anthropologically, he has brought together some evidence to indicate the transmissibility of patterns by descent, but finds that no sensible amount of correlation exists between the patterns of impres- sions and the bodily faculties or characteristics, or that these finger markings are distinctive of race or temperament. In the system here described, many of his terms have been adopted, definitions accepted, and suggestions followed whenever practicable. As will be explained, it has been found necessary to pro- vide the additional nomenclature required by the increase in the number of types and patterns, and with a view to fixing these patterns, definitions have been so framed as to eliminate to a great extent transitional cases. The difficulty experienced of providing a system of classification capable of dealing with large collections has been overcome mainly by the device of placing it upon a number basis thereby doing away with the need of employing the suffixes on which Sir Francis Gabon’s method relied. But these are details which can be more conveniently treated later on, and are only noticed now when referring to the great value and to the extent of Sir Francis Galton’s inquiries into the subject.1 Finger prints utilized in many branches Of public busineSS.-^In India the employment of the new system has not been restricted to the Police 1 “ Finger Prints and the Detection of Crime in India,” a paper read before the British Association Meeting, Dover, 1899, by Mr. E. R. Henry, C.S.I.
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