Modern Methods of Detecting Crime.
The method of finger prints at the present date seems to be the most
efficient manner of identification. All the leading detective bureaus
of the world use the finger print method. Thousands of sample finger
prints will be found in their files. The detective and officer who is
up-to-date, is trained to understand this method of identification.
Leading experts all over the world accept the finger print as positive
proof of identification.
Special paper prepared for such purposes can be purchased from the
Detective Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois.
Finger prints are readily made by coating the tips of the fingers with
a fine layer of ink and pressing them upon specially prepared paper
as described above. Finger print outfits and preparations for taking
prints may be purchased from W. K. Evans, Director of Finger Print
Department, Evans University, Chicago, Illinois.
Finger print experts claim to have records which will show that Chinese
Monarchs used the thumb print as an identification one thousand years
ago. Most experts claim that Sir William Herschel was the first to use
them in India to identify documents.
They are used by the United States Army and Navy for the identification
of deserters who try to re-enlist. They are used by a great many banks
to identify a depositor. A great number of corporations use them for
their employees to prevent the padding of pay-rolls and identification
in case of accident, etc. They are used by schools, colleges and
universities during examinations where substitution is liable to occur.
Attorneys also use finger prints on deeds, wills and other legal
documents to establish infallible proof of their genuineness.
Another method of identification is the Bertillon System, of which
there are three chief parts, which means a general description,
including the photograph. Part first--the physical measurements, of
which there are only eleven parts. Part two--the general description of
the prisoner, including his photograph. Part three--the record of scars
and peculiar marks, such as tattoo, deformities, etc. This system is
used in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia
and the United States.
In taking the measurement of a prisoner, it is customary for one man to
take the measurements and call them off, while another writes them down.
After a little practice it is possible to take the entire eleven
measurements in about five minutes. This means taking the measurements
and calling them off.
The Bertillon Measurement System was invented by Doctor Alphonse
Bertillon, of Paris, France. This system was first introduced in the
United States in 1887 and is used in all the principal cities in the
United States and at the large Federal prisons.
The eleven measurements taken of each individual are all based on the
bony structure of the body or skeleton. All experts claim that after
a person arrives at the age of twenty-one that this measurement does
not change. No other measurements are of any value. The Bertillon
Measurement System can be secured in book form and all identification
equipment by corresponding with Yawman and Erbe Manufacturing Company,
Rochester, New York.
Some years ago the only evidence allowed to be given in court as to
handwriting was that of the writer himself, or someone who had seen the
writing done, or who was acquainted with the handwriting in question.
Handwriting experts are now to be found in most of the large banks in
the United States. These men are called to give expert testimony in
all of the courts from justice of the peace up. It is a very common
occurrence for a judge in summing up a case to the jury to emphasize
the point that the evidence of the expert is only a matter of opinion,
and the decision rests with the jury.
In order to detect forgeries on checks and legal documents, it is best
to use the microscope, which frequently reveals erasing, etc., not
visible to the naked eye.
An erasure may be detected on any instrument of writing by holding the
same between the eye and an electric light, and the microscope will
show the ruffled fiber on the face of the paper.
A very simple test that will reveal erasing is the use of iodine vapor
which will often cause a blue coloration upon the moistened surface
from which sizing had been removed, but will only color the remainder
of the paper brown.
The detection of a mechanical erasure, such as is mentioned above, is
frequently indicated by the paper being thinner and more transparent
at that place; it is often rendered more certain by a photographer.
If the document on which a suspected erasure is placed between a
strong light and the camera, the negative will show a darkened area
corresponding to the place where more light was transmitted through the
paper.
Of recent years photography has supplied another valuable means
of detecting alterations in documents, and it has been found
particularly useful for demonstrating to a judge and jury the result
of a microscopical examination. Photographic reproductions and
enlargements have the advantage over chemical methods of not producing
any alterations in the ink or paper, and in some instances is just as
effective as the latter.
All leading details of the writing and the texture of the paper you
can record by the camera. A photographic enlargement may then be made
to any required extent so as to obtain what practically amounts to a
record of the microscopical appearance. This process has an additional
advantage over the microscopical examinations, and a large portion of
the magnified surface may be examined at the same time. In studying
a document under the microscope you may restrict the view to a very
minute portion of the surface.
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