Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-20

each bearing two finger prints two photo
era phs and dozen anthropometrlc meas
ure nents. DR.. Michael Gallagher Will be
the Puddin head Wison-inchie of this
clearing house. With reading glass in hand
he will study the various Impressions OF
the Monaghan digits and classify them &C
coIding to their arches, loops, WhorlS ana
composites.
Impressions of the right thumb and right
middle finger only will be placed upon each
card in appropriate spaces at the right or
the two Photographic views The latter
will be full face and profile portraits.
set of improved anthrorometric fnstru-
ments has been supplied to each Chinese
inspector, who now has neatly equipped
laboratory. The writer was permitted
to photograph the new instruments and
their arrangement in the model labora-
tory Against the wall stands wooden
cross, graduated vertically and horizontally
into centimeters and millimeters Against
this the Chinese Observation-Disclosures
frightened at the suggestion of crucifixion-
must stand with arms outstretched while
his height and arm reach are being meas
ured Upon shelf fixed to the foot of the
cross he must seat himself while his sit
ting height is being taken. Close by is
stand strewn with calipers for measuring
head lengths and head widths. yellow
rule for locating moles, scars etc, and two
sizes of scales-similar to those used by
shoemakers-for estimating lengths of feet,
arms, fingers and ears. Other accessories
filing away the cards and pad for making
the finger prints.
Making the Prints.
The finger prints are taken by the rolling
process" Each oriental is instructed to
place the designated finger upon the linked
surface of the pad the nail turned toward
his left, and then to roll the finger over
until the nail faces the right. This gives a
complete impression of the ridged surface
of the finger end.
The cards will be ndexed according to
head lengths. Two head lengths measuring
the same will be SubclaSSified according to
head widths Where both head lengths and
head widths are identical the subindeX will
be the length of the middle finger, and so
on down the classification of the library
bureau anthropometric chart, which has
been adopted.
Surer than the anthropometric measure
ments are these finger prints in this re-
spect: 1t has been scientifically proven
that the arches, loops, whOrls and COM
posites traced in delicate design upon the
finger end of newborn infant will retain
their relation unchanged even after that
same infant has matured to manhood died
of old age and has been laid away in his
tomb. The fingers of Egyptian mummies
are found to retain this delicate lathe work
of nature for centuries. Indeed, only de-
composition of tissue can Ooliterate it.
The value of finger impressions as means
of Identification was first established in In
dia They had been employed in centuries
past among various nations. but partly in
superstitious and partly in ceremonial
usages. In India the British officials were
met with problem which faces all eau
casians dealing with orieltals-the diff
Guilty of identification. The eye of the
white man cannot we'll discriminate be-
tween two orientals. Added to this was
the natural craftiness of the Asiatic. I'm
PRESERVATION is one of his fortes. We have
been faced with the same problem in en-
deavoring to enforce the Chinese exclusion
acts.
Wide Use in India.
The use of finger impressions for fixing
identity seems to have been first applied
by Sir VIM. Herschel some years ago, when
he was attached to the British Indian civil