There are records of fingerprints being taken many centuries ago, although they weren't nearly as sophisticated as they are today. The ancient Babylonians pressed the tips of their fingertips into clay to record business transactions. The Chinese used ink-on-paper finger impressions for business and to help identify their children. However, fingerprints weren't used as a method for identifying criminals until the 19th century. In 1858, an Englishman named Sir William Herschel was working as the Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in Jungipoor, India. In order to reduce fraud, he had the residents record their fingerprints when signing business documents.A few years later, Scottish doctor Henry Faulds was working in Japan when he discovered fingerprints left by artists on ancient pieces of clay. This finding inspired him to begin investigating fingerprints. In 1880, Faulds wrote to his cousin, the famed naturalist Charles Darwin, and asked for help with developing a fingerprint classification system. Darwin declined, but forwarded the letter to his cousin, Sir Francis Galton. Galton was a eugenicist who collected measurements on people around the world to determine how traits were inherited from one generation to the next. He began collecting fingerprints and eventually gathered some 8,000 different samples to analyze. In 1892, he published a book called "Fingerprints," in which he outlined a fingerprint classification system -- the first in existence. The system was based on patterns of arches, loops and whorls.
Article Cited: Watson, Stephanie. "How Fingerprinting Works". May 26 2008. Hand News, Boston 2008. 06 June 2009. http://www.handresearch.com/news/how-fingerprinting-works.htm
That is incredible that one of the most important law enforcement investigative techniques got its start in the business realm. I guess fingerprint analysis is where TV shows like CSI can trace their origin back to. As old as crime is, it is amazing that these fingerprint analysis techniques were not used more in ancient times for crime fighting. Of course, I guess there was no such thing as police back then either.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that each individual in existence has their own unique set of fingerprints is outstanding. It is so wonderful that this defining feature can be used in such positive ways. Advancements in technology have paved the way for its beneficial use. I can only imagine how many cases have been solved by a single fingerprint. Think about it, we do not go anywhere without our hands or fingers. We leave traces everywhere. It seems like almost every episode of CSI or NCIS (I am a huge fan of both) uses fingerprints to find the criminal. The development of computer systems that can scan, compare, and ultimately match fingerprints is even more amazing. Before, the authorities would have to compare by hand and one can only imagine how time consuming that really was. I wonder where we would be without the realization that each of our fingers is unique to us.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of fingerprint will never go away. Because, it one of the most detailed and precise information of data that you can find. Now a day’s fingerprint idea is broadly shared. It’s in movies, TV shows and also commercials. I agree that the way they got results from the prints years ago, now that technique is extinct. Because, the newer techniques are so advanced that, one can just put a data in a computer and bring out any information of that person. So I think this idea will be around us for awhile.
ReplyDeleteTracing fingerprints has been done for so long! I never knew it dated back to quite that long. I wonder if they would still dust the print. Babylonians recorded them in clay for business, Chinese to keep track of children recorded prints in ink. I guess I always thought that finger prints were more fragile evidence, a little harder to get good prints. I was unaware that it was Sir Fracis Galton, famous eugenicist was responsible for the research that I’m sure built the foundation for its advances in technology. The scientific technology of finger prints used in crime investigation, just imagine the enormous influence this must have had on society. Think of the number of criminals who’ve been brought to justice and the lives that finger printing has affected. A fingerprint is so small, so unique yet with technological advances make a momentous impact of society.
ReplyDeleteFinger prints is a vital piece of information for any investigation. It has been used for long time. A fingerprint technology is being used to solve mysteries and find killer. They use the dust and powder to indentify the fingerprints in early 1900’s. Now they use chemical, lights to identify the prints. Back in the days it was really hard to match them up because of no computer data. Now they feed the finger prints in the computer and get the matching results in matter of minutes. Fingerprint technology will never go away because it is the easiest to find and toughest evidence in the courtroom. In some backward countries people still use fingerprints instead of signatures. The fingerprint is a very useful and significant technology in field of criminal justice.
ReplyDeleteI definietly agree that the fingerprint will remain forever and i also think that the use of fingerprint is really old now in compare to today's technology.New and newer technologies are being invented on everyday basis.Fingerprint was used to really nice source to tracing the person who convicted a crime. But in today's society this idea of collecting of fingerprint is not so precised as it used to be. All the computer manufacturer are installing the fingerprint and facial scanner into their laptop.But i think we will be using the fingerprint forever because it recognize the person really quickly and also its really accurate.
ReplyDeleteFingerprints are really fascinating. It is amazing how each individual has unique fingerprints that differ from any other individual in the world. Even twins have not the same fingerprints. Great research in the past helps now days the criminal justice to identify criminals and to investigate different crimes. Of course now day’s technology allows a faster identification of identity than it used to be in the past. Not only has the technology adjusted but also the society. If we look on crime – criminals have learned the fingerprint issue and also are trying to find new methods to avoid the exposure of their identity. I`m sure that fingerprints evolution is not ended back then and not even today, there probably would be a lot to learn in the coming future.
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