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.

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    Finger Print System of Identification, which includes the following : — “ Identification by Finger Prints has become a most “ important branch of criminal investigation, and has proved “ to be of signal service both in the detection of crime and “ the identification of the offender. The system is new, and “ had only just been introduced into this country when the “ last edition of this work was published, and it is only quite “ lately that the conclusive nature of the evidence that it “ affords has been appreciated in the Courts. It may be said “ now to have established its claim to admission and to “ trustworthiness. The processes, and especially the admir- “ able system of classification, make it perfectly simple to “ those who understand its technology. Despite an appear- “ ance of complication, the system appears to be easily “ mastered by any person of intelligence in the course of a “ few months or even weeks. “ It is undoubtedly of very great assistance in tracking “ both criminals and crime, and it would be a great hindrance “ to the proper and legitimate work of the police did it fail “ to command public appreciation. It is felt at headquarters “that a single slip might do infinite harm, and hence a most “ rigorous system of checks and counter-checks has been “ established, to which every finger print identification is “ subjected. A remarkable case tried at Birmingham in 1908 “ shows that it is well to bear in mind that any particular “ case may meet with considerable reluctance on the part of “ judge or jury, or both, to accept evidence of a scientific “ character before it has thoroughly established its own claim to recognition—a reluctance often wise as well as natural. “ A burglary had been committed and the offender had left “ the imprint of one or more of his fingers on a champagne “ bottle. Twelve identical ridge characteristics were pointed “ out in the two sets of impressions, but the learned judge “ was so far from being satisfied that he twice invited the “ jury to say that they were not satisfied. The jury, how- “ ever, did not accept the invitation and convicted the “ prisoner. Probably if the learned judge had had to try “ the case in the year 1911 instead of 1908, the added “ experience of the reliability of evidence of this class would “ have led him to the same conclusion as that of the jury.”