The Topeka state journal., 1906-04-11
FINGER PRINTS.
LeavenwOrth Penitentiary Clerk
Is Two Months Abroad.
Studying the System Used at
Scotland Yard.
TO IDENTIFY ROGUES.
Thinks 1t Far Better Scheme
Than BertillOn One.
Photograph Prints on Silver
ware, Safes and Doors.

Leavenworth Kan, April 1.-THE
Times says:
NJ W. McClaughry, record clerk Of
the federal penitentiary, has returned
after two months visit in England
and France during which time he made
a thorough investigation Of the sys-
TENS of identification in vogue there
and also received instruction in the
system used by the Scotland Yard at
London England.
Upon arrival McClaughry reported
at Scotland Yard where he joined a
school at which place instruction was
given in how to take finger prints off
window cases. glass, silverware, etc
He spent several weeks at this work
and visited at the various penal insti-
tuticns near London. He also visited
a prison IN France and during all OF
the time he was in Europe he made
observations and recorded them in a
note book for the purpose of submit
ting his views Of the penal institutions
to a society in New York He visited
new things in regard to the Bertillon
system. After returning to this coun-
try he stopped over several days in
New York and two days in Chicago.
The record clerk was very much
pleased with the trip stating that he
had very good time and the only un-
pleasant experience he had was when
he became seasick on the way from
New York to London.
When asked yesterday by a reporter
for the Times what changes he will
make at the federal penitentiary in his
department through the new informa-
tion he has acquired during his in
Vestigations in the old country Nc
Claughry said:
The present filing case will be care
1uily oVerhauled and organized on the
Scotland Yard system so that no pris-
oner can possibly escape identification
should he ever return here again at any
time in the future. The Bertillon sys-
tenn viii be used until January l. 1907.
when it will probably be abandoned.
When this is done it will be necessary
to detail about three or four more
clerks to make the necessary changes.
1T has been clearly demonstrated
at Scotland Yard that the finger print
system is far superior to the Bertillon
system in many ways. The Bertillon
system has been supplanted in Eng
land Scotland. Ireland. Germany, the
various republics In South Africa In
dia. New Zealand, Australia and
Egypt. Japan is now taking up the
nnger print system. The United States
army has now officially adopted the
finger print system. Canada has also
abandoned the use of the Bertillon svs-
tenn in favor OF the finger print sys-
tenn
There are now on file at the federal
penitentiary here the finger prints Of
about $500 criminals. from this and
other penitentiaries. At Scotland Yard
London. there are received on an aver
age of $50 sheets on which the finger
impressions Of criminals are taken
from all over Great Britain and Ire
land and ten men are kept busy in
going over the vast collection of about
100000 sheets looking up the former
records and also filing the sheets re-
ceived daily except on Sundays.
In connection with the finger print
record Office there is a large photo
graph gallery and laboratory where
two men are kept busy photographing
finger prints found on windows. doors
safes silverWare, etc. left by burglars
1t IS no uncommon occurrence for a
burglar. whose finger prints are already
on file at the Scotland Yard. to burg
larize store in London. leave his fnq-
er prints on windows and afterwards
be arrested by detectives from Scotland
Yard on the evidence of his finger prints
alone and the stolen property found in
his possession.