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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    bility little short of certainty the existence of iron in the sun. Many other conclusions of astronomy are based upon a similar application of the theory of probability. Upon like grounds we believe in the human origin of flint heads. For though the actual concussion of one hint against another may produce hakes, yet when several such hint heads are found in the same spot, each bearing evidence of many blows similarly directed, conducing to fashion a lance or spear-head form, the probability of a natural origin becomes extremely small, and the supposition that they are the handiwork of men almost a certainty. We may now apply this line of reasoning in esti- mating the probability of specified characteristics found in the impression of one digit occurring by chance in that of any other. Taking Fig. 42 and assuming1 it to be three chances to one against the bifurcation B occurring casually in this particular limb of a “ staple ” and at this particular point of it in another impression selected at random, the proba- bility of such occurrence is y. The degree of proba- bility here assigned is, it will be conceded, not excessive, for there might be no bifurcation, or if there happened to be a bifurcation it might be in some other position of the limb. Similarly, the probability of bifurcations at D and E occurring by chance is \ for each ; the probability of a ridge beginning abruptly at G may be put down at y ; of its ending abruptly at. H at \ ; of ridges beginning abruptly at K, M, N, each at \ ; the chance of another impression being an ulnar Loop with a
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