NCJ Number
89977
Date Published
1982
Length
379 pages
Annotation
This volume presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of dactyloscopy -- its theoretical basis, technological advances, role in person identification, and application in West German criminal investigation through access to recently automated, central fingerprint records files.
Abstract
Chapters address the person identification methods employed in police practice and discuss the evolution of dactyloscopy, citing its initial discoverers and the developers of dactyloscopic classification systems. The physiological function and evolution of human fingertip ridging patterns of the skin are explained, with emphasis on the phenomena of uniqueness and permanence. The text also delineates the principles of classification systems based on distinctive pattern types, the use of predictive formulas, and statistical verification of dactyloscopic phenomena. Modern data processing and communications techniques currently used in Germany are explained and compared with those employed elsewhere. Dactyloscopic trace evidence collection is also addressed, as are the shortcomings and uses of monodactyloscopy in contrast to 10-finger analysis. The concluding discussion raises the issues of personal privacy and data security, legal limits to police investigative powers, the legitimate uses of dactyloscopy, as well as its validity as evidence in legal proceedings. Extensive charts, tables, drawings, and photographs are provided. The bibliography contains almost 1,000 entries. Footnotes and an index are also provided.