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Fingerprints are Examined for the First Time
Psychologist Marcello Malpighi examined fingerprints under a microscope and noted a series of ridges and loops. -
Different Types of Fingerprints are Discovered
Another physiologist, Jan Purkinje, noted at least nine different fingerprint patterns for the first time. He categorized them by geometric arrangement. -
Fingerprinting Identification is Used for the First Time
Sir Francis Galton, a cousin of famous scientist Chalres Darwin, figured out that fingerprints can be used to help identify people. He used them to seek out hereditary traits. -
Fingerprinting is First Used in Crime Scene Investigation
Juan Vucetich, an Argentine chief police officer, created the first method of recording the fingerprints of individuals on file to help solve crimes in Argentina. -
Fingerprinting Replaces Bertillion Measurements to Solve Crime
The William West Case at a prison in Kansas showed that two men who were nearly identical and had very similar measurements were both locked up. This proved the current method of identifying criminals was not reliable and it had to be replaced by something more reliable, like fingerprinting -
First Murder Case Using Fingerprints is Solved
In London, Thomas Farrow and his wife were murdered at their store. The fingerprints of Albert and Alfred Stratton were found on the cash box in the shop leading to their arrest. This was the first case in the world that used fingerprints to arrest someone. -
Police/Military Start Using Finger Prints
The US military adopted the use of finger prints first, and then police started using them just a few months later as they proved to be a reliable form of identification. -
Fingerprints are First Used in US Courts
The Illinois State Supreme Court declared that fingerprints are a reliable form of evidence. They were then used to convict murderer Thomas Jennings and this allowed them to be the norm from now on. -
Computer Data Base of Fingerprints is Created
The AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification Service) was created in this year and it currently holds around 70 million cards which significantly helps when solving crimes. -
Fingerprints are Used to Solve a 41 Year Old Case
Keith Judd was murdered at a bar in Arkansas 43 years ago. Just two years ago, detective Matt Hutchinson dug up fingerprint evidence to finally catch the killer and send them to jail.
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