Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-02
SYSTEM IN
CRIMINAL IDENTIFICATION

procedure with the left hand Then in a
larger space at the bottom Of the paper is
taken the prints of the four fingers and
thumb simultaneously Of each hand This
Is done as check, so as to show that the
prints Of each finger above are in their
proper sequence. On the reverse side of the
paper, which Is to become the official
record for the purposes Of Identification, the
subject signs his name and the print of
his signature finger is taken. This is a
check to insure that the prints on the other
and name is recorded thereon. AS will
readily be seen. If the signature finger
print. taken at the same time as the sig
nature, does not correspond with that print
on the other side Of the paper, the prints
are credited to the wrong man. Where
several criminals are having their prints
taken together there might be a mix-up in
names and this print Of the signature
finger prevents confusion.
After the prints have been taken the
series must be classified and filed away
where it can be obtained or referred to
within few minutes without looking over
other series of prints. This classification
is the most technical part of the finger
print system.
All the prints fall into four general
groups viz: Arches. loops. whorls and
composites The print is an arch when the
the finger. forming thus a certain arch
shape. The print is classified as a loop
when the lines run up around certain
fixed point or core and then back in the
same general direction to the same side
from which they came. 1t is whori
when the ridges make at least one COM
plete circuit around central point or
score" Where combinations OF the arch,
loop and whorl types are found the print
Is known as composite.
The first general classification Is based
on the number of whorls found in the ten
prints Of fingers and thumbs the first sub
classification deals with the loops, they be-
ing divided into ulnar loops or radial
loops, according to whether the ridges
leading away from the core" lead away
| respectively from the direction of the
thumb toward the little finger. or from the
! direction Of the little finger toward the
thumb Further classification is made by
considering the forms taken by specific
| fingers, the whorls being chiefly considered
The finger print system. in one particu-
lar. Is regarded as superior to the Bertil-
lon system. for. it gives at least one means
to clue to the identity of the criminal
| who is not arrested. Few crimes can be
| committed without leaving a finger print
and If that finger print Is obtainable a
| sure means Of Identification Is secured II
| the owrer Of the finger can be located. A
| few days ago. when Mrs. Holland was CIV
| ing a demonstrate ton of the system and its
| operations. she asked the reporter to lay
his hand lightly on a common piece OF pa
| per which she picked up from a nearby
desk. There apparently was no mark of
any hand or fingers left on the paper But
| she sprinkled some black powder on the
paper and after shaking that around for a
| few seconds the finger print was noticed
very distinctly. It was explained that diff
ferent colored powders were used, accord
| ing to the color of the substance upon
which the finger print was left Thus a
contrast Il assured. The print thus OBJ
tanned can be photographed or enlarged
ard IL the man suspected has correspond
ing finger print. his capture is facilitated.
The use OF the fnger-print system in the