Fingerprints

by Miss Alyssa

Fingerprinting is the most commonly used forensic evidence in the world.

The History of Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting was first performed by the English in July, 1858. Sir William James Herschel began requiring palm prints and later on, simply the prints of the right Index and Middle fingers on every contract made with the locals of Jungipoor, India. However, Herschel was not using fingerprinting for scientific evidence but simply to impress upon the people the importance of keeping their contract with him. Nevertheless, he did eventually realize that they could prove or disprove identity.

During the 1870's, Dr. Henry Faulds recognized the importance of fingerprints as a means of identification. In addition, he created a method of classification. In 1882, Gilbert Thompson of the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, performed the first known use of fingerprints in America. He used his thumb print on a document to prevent forgery.

In 1897, the Calcutta Anthropometric Bureau became the world's first Fingerprint Bureau. Working in the Calcutta Anthropometric Bureau were Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose. Haque and Bose were the two Indian fingerprint experts credited with primary development of the Henry System of fingerprint classification. It was named for their supervisor, Edward Richard Henry.. The Henry classification system is still used in all English-speaking countries.

The first systematic use of fingerprints in the U.S. by the New York Civil Service Commission for testing occurred in 1902. In 1903, the New York State Prison system began the first systematic use of fingerprints in America for criminals. In 1904, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) created America's first national fingerprint repository named, "The National Bureau of Criminal Identification." In 1905, the U.S. Army began using fingerprinting, the U.S. Navy two years later, and the U.S. Marine Corp one year after that. In 1924, the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was established. By the year1946, the FBI had processed 100 million fingerprint cards in manually maintained files. By 1971, the number of cards reached 200 million. Nowadays, there are computerized files of fingerprints as well as manual files.

Dusting for Fingerprints

Unless it is a very important case (i.e. murder), the police usually only dust with powder for prints. Unfortunately, this method leaves behind or destroys around fifty percent of the identifiable prints on plastic, glass, and metal surfaces. A bright flashlight is another good way to discover fingerprints. Chemical processing can discover things the above two methods cannot but is reserved for serious cases for a variety of reasons. To do such serious investigation causes a lot of damage to whatever area is being investigated, etc.

The professionals use aluminum powder. Below is how to make your own fingerprint powder.

Please ask for your parents’ permission before trying this experiment!

Adult supervision and help is recommended.

You will need starch powder, a candle, two porcelain dishes and a knife.

Put a little of the starch powder on a dish. Light the candle and hold the second dish in the flame. The candle flame will deposit soot on the second dish. Scrape the soot from the dish and put it on the starch powder. Continue doing this until the amount of soot matches the amount of starch powder. Mix the two together and you should have fingerprint powder! When you are ready to lift a print, dust it generously. Blow the excess away from the fingerprint. If you want to lock the fingerprint in place, cover it with clear tape and stick it on a card.

Fingerprints--Their Uniqueness and Mark

Every fingerprint is unique. That is why fingerprinting works. It is amazing that there are over six billion fingerprints and not one of them are the same! God created people to be incredibly complex and unique. God made each of us special. Someone may be artistic but not be able to draw well. Someone may love art and also love mathematics. Someone may be an extrovert but still be shy. Though our personalities and likes may be different, there are some things we should all strive for. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, and more! We must remember that it is only by God’s grace that we are able to do anything good. God has given each of us gifts and abilities that we should hone and utilize in accordance with His will.

Whenever we touch things, we leave fingerprints. Some are dry, some are wet, some are dirty, and some are sticky. In the same way, what we do and say leave their mark in the world around us. When we die, what kind of "fingerprints" will we be leaving behind? Will our actions make an impact for eternity by fulfilling the Great Commission? Will we provide for the neediest among mankind? Or will our fingers be focused only on what we can gain for ourselves? May we use our fingers for the furtherance of God’s kingdom and for His glory!

"Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." Psalm 144:1


Miss Alyssa, a 15 year old homeschooler, is interested in writing and film-making for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. She is passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel. She blogs at One Nation Under GOD.

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