The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-12-30
Pudd'nhead Wilson Is INDICATED

The London police have adopted the Californian system OF iden
thcation of criminals by finger prints.
Mark Twain did than any other to popuarze the
idea of using finger hand prints means OF identification
when he Puddnhead Wilson, 1t is necessary this,
Notwithstanding that Puddnhead and his thumb marks
evtab recalled nearly every mind by discussion of this char
Yet for years before Mark Twain had written his story
Francis Cation poddng English scientist had been collecting
the data by which he finally proved the essential facts upon
which all claim the value of such markings rest namely
O their absolutely individual character and the mpossbty of
duplication in individuals 2) their permanence
through life and after death for long the pdems OF
hands and feet preserved For Cation states that the cpl
demc ridges of the hands and feet may still be plainly
many Egyptian mumme; while Prof Wilder tells that in
experiment by himself upon the feet of infant belonging
the prehistoric jewellers OF southern Utah. where the bodies
embamed but simply dried in the rarehed
APPEAL patterns could be definitely traced
after comparatively simple preliminary treatment
That the London police have finally hit upon the method of
identification that most nearly approaches perfection cannot be
doubted Beron celebrated OF physical measurements
does with in the point OF certainty 1t seems how
ever that thus far only the finger hand prints of criminals have
been recorded by the British authorities Prof Wilder adj
practical extension of the Californian system the
Of prints not only of the whole palms. but OF the oe OF the feet
we'll By this double method the possibility OF mistake would
be reduced practically Besides the deraby OF having
records of personal identity confined the criminal classes
There many accidents of various which the
bodies may be sufficiently mutaed to render recognition I'M
certain impossible of lost children claimants
estates, like the famous Tcborne claimant In accident cases.
especially burning DEATH this method of identification proves
its value in the fact that the palms and oes be the last
external parts be consumed because they protected
pctve by the involuntary clencng of the hands and by the
heavy soles of Shoes
seems simple to have palm and sole record taken by
the authorities of every newborn child pupil in the public
schools. Prof Wilder shows how easily of human
documents could be built connection with birth school
records and he has difficulty Whatevern showing how va
able how convenient such documents would be in countless
of identification where doubt and great expense involved 1t
is probable that the system thus outlined will finally spread all
the world connection with the criminal classes but be-
of that unavory association is also probable that the
tension of the system include every member of civilized society
will be opposed by people who not in the criminal classes
Perhaps unfortunate that the hand and foot the good
folks taken before those of the bad folks taken for
then there could have been Opprobrum attached the
1t is safe prophecy however that than fond
parent would make terrible fuss if official
pear with the purpose of taking baby finger prints u like
criminals Possibly the family physician could perform the job
without aoung protest that trusted parsonage might
have deepseated prejudice to overcome.
The life and accident insurance companies could take such
Ord doubtless in the of their polCy-olders;
police of would have everything their
in dealing with persons under Yet the further application
Of the may be believed would make Roadway about
fast cremation does-and faster.