CHAPTER XI_The Science of Fingerprints: Classification and Uses

_Establishment of a Local Fingerprint Identification Bureau_

For the information and assistance of officials who desire to

establish a local fingerprint identification bureau, the following

suggestions are being made to indicate the principal materials

necessary to equip such a bureau:

_Fingerprinting equipment_

For the purpose of taking fingerprints there should be a stand with a

clamp for holding the fingerprint cards steady. This latter item is

necessary to prevent smudging the prints. A tube of printer's ink is

used. The ink is applied by a roller to a glass plate upon which the

fingers are inked before being rolled on the cards. The complete

equipment for the above process may be secured from a number of

commercial sources or it can be made. Figure 408 depicts an inking

stand.

_Fingerprint files_

It is suggested that the fingerprint card be white, light cardboard, 8

by 8 inches, slightly glazed. This size is convenient, as it allows

all the space necessary for recording the classification of the prints

and general descriptive information concerning the individual. In the

event the new bureau desires to contribute copies of its fingerprints

to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the latter will, upon request,

gladly furnish fingerprint cards for the purpose together with

envelopes and instructions on how to take fingerprints. It is

suggested that the new bureau design its cards similar to those

furnished by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as these have been

designed after special study and have been found to be satisfactory

over a long period of time. Figures 409 and 410 show the fingerprint

side and reverse side of the criminal fingerprint card used by the

Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In classifying and comparing fingerprints it is necessary to use a

magnifying or fingerprint glass. Such instruments can be obtained from

various commercial sources. Figure 411 shows the type of magnifying

glass used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[Illustration: 408. Diagram of a FINGERPRINT INKING STAND]

The fingerprint cards should be filed according to fingerprint

classification sequence in cabinets, preferably steel. It is further

suggested that the cabinets be three drawers high, with each drawer

divided into three rows for filing. Such cabinets or similar ones can

be obtained from various commercial sources. Figure 412 shows the type

of fingerprint cabinet used in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In order to facilitate the location of classification groups, it is

suggested that guide cards be placed in the rows of fingerprint cards

at frequent intervals. These guide cards should be slightly longer

and heavier than the fingerprint cards and should have small tabs on

the top to hold classification identifying symbols. Figure 413 shows

the type of guide card used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[Illustration: 409]

LEAVE THIS SPACE BLANK |TYPE OR PRINT |SEX |RACE

| | |

|LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME|--------|-----

| |HT. |WT.

| |(Inches)|

| | |

|----------------------------------|--------|-----

|CONTRIBUTOR AND |ALIASES |HAIR |EYES

|ADDRESS | | |

| | |--------------

-------------------------| | |DATE OF BIRTH

SIGNATURE OF PERSON | | |

FINGERPRINTED | | |--------------

| | |PLACE OF BIRTH

| | |

|-------------------------------------------------

-------------------------|YOUR NUMBER |LEAVE THIS SPACE BLANK

SCARS AND |AMPUTATION | |

MARKS | |------------------|CLASS

| |PLACE FBI NUMBER | -------------------------

-------------------------|HERE |

SIGNATURE OF DATE |------------------|REF.

OFFICIAL TAKING | _ CHECK IF NO | --------------------------

FINGERPRINTS ||_| REPLY |

| IS DESIRED |

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. RIGHT THUMB|2. RIGHT INDEX|3. RIGHT |4. RIGHT RING |5. RIGHT

| | MIDDLE | | LITTLE

| | | |

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | | |

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. LEFT THUMB |2. LEFT INDEX |3. LEFT MIDDLE|4. LEFT RING |5. LEFT LITTLE

| | | |

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | | |

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEFT FOUR FINGERS TAKEN |LEFT |RIGHT |RIGHT FOUR FINGERS TAKEN

SIMULTANEOUSLY |THUMB |THUMB |SIMULTANEOUSLY

| | |

A practice which has been of the utmost benefit in the Federal Bureau

of Investigation is as follows: When a fingerprint card is taken out

of its regular file for any reason, a substitute card is put in its

place, to remain until the return of the card. This substitute card,

or "charge-out" card, is of a different color from the fingerprint

card and slightly longer. On it are recorded the name, the

classification formula, and peculiar characteristics, such as scars

and peculiar pattern formations, appearing on the original card. By

indicating the date and reason for charging out the original card, the

Bureau is able to keep an accurate check on the whereabouts of all

prints at all times. It is suggested that the local bureaus adopt a

practice of this kind whenever a fingerprint card is drawn from the

files and it is known that it may be out for a period of time longer

than the remainder of the day on which it is drawn. Figure 414 shows

the type of charge-out card used in the FBI.

[Illustration: 410]

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

WASHINGTON, D.C.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CURRENT ARREST OR RECEIPT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

DATE ARRESTED | CHARGE OR OFFENCE |DISPOSITION OF SENTENCE

OR RECEIVED |(If code citation is used |(List final disposition only.

|it should be accompanied by|If not now available

|charge) |submit later on FBI Form R-54

| |for completion of record.)

| |

---------------|---------------------------|

OCCUPATION |RESIDENCE OF PERSON |

|FINGERPRINTED |

| |

-------------------------------------------|

If COLLECT wire reply or COLLECT telephone |

reply is desired, indicate here |

_ _ |

|_| Wire reply |_| Telephone reply |

| FOR INSTITUTIONS USE ONLY

---------------- |

Telephone number | Sentence expires____________

-------------------------------------------|------------------------------

| INSTRUCTIONS

|1. FORWARD ARREST CARDS TO FBI

| IMMEDIATELY AFTER

| FINGERPRINTING FOR MOST

| EFFECTIVE SERVICE.

|2. TYPE or PRINT all

| information.

|3. Note amputations in proper

| finger squares.

Please Paste Photograph in This Space |4. REPLY WILL QUOTE ONLY

| NUMBER APPEARING IN THE

Since photograph may become detached | BLOCK MARKED "CONTRIBUTOR'S

indicate name, FBI number, and arrest | NO."

number on reverse side whether attached to |

fingerprint card or submitted later. |5. Indicate any additional

| copies for other agencies

| in space below--include

| their complete mailing

| address.

-------------------------------------------|------------------------------

| SEND COPY TO:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

FD-249

Each fingerprint card handled by the bureau should receive a

fingerprint number and these numbers can be assigned in consecutive

order.

As the bureau increases in size, it will be found a source of much

convenience to have fingerprints of males and females kept in separate

files.

_Name files_

There will be times when it may be necessary to locate an individual's

fingerprints when no current fingerprints are available, but the name

with a police number or the classification is known. In order to

facilitate work of this nature, as well as to keep a complete record

and check on each set of fingerprints, it is necessary that the files

be indexed in a manner similar to that in which books in a library are

indexed.

[Illustration: 411]

[Illustration: 412]

In this connection, for each fingerprint card there is prepared an

index card. On this the name of the individual is placed, with all

known aliases, the fingerprint classification formula, the police or

arrest number, the date of arrest or other action. It is desirable,

also, to have on this card such general information as age, height,

weight and race. Figure 415 shows the front of a suggested type of 3-

by 5-inch index card.

[Illustration: 413]

[Illustration: 414]

| | | | | | |

+--------+--------+----------+----------+-------+-------------+

+--------+--------+----------+----------+-------+ |

|Searched Thru|

+-------------+

................................. Classification....................

MASTER PRINT NAME

................................. Reference.........................

CURRENT PRINT NAME

+--------------+--------------+---------------+-------------+-------------+

| | | | | |

+--------------+--------------+---------------+-------------+-------------+

| | | | | |

+--------------+--------------+---------------+-------------+-------------+

TYPE OF CURRENT PRINT |Number and Initials of

Criminal | Non-Criminal |Employee Charging Out:

| |

Date..................|Date...................|............................

16-58188-1 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

Figure 416 shows the reverse side of the 3- by 5-inch index card.

These are filed alphabetically in special cabinets. An index card also

should be made for every alias which an individual has used. Figure

417 shows an electrically operated file cabinet in which the index

cards are filed. It is suggested that the alias cards be of a

different color from the one bearing the correct name, known as the

"Master." Each alias card also should have typed on it the correct

name of the individual, for purposes of reference and cross-checking.

For convenience and accuracy these files, as in the fingerprint files,

should also have suitable guide cards.

[Illustration: 415]

| |

______________________________________________|______________|____________

LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME | F.P. CLASS | IDENT NO.

| | |

______________________________________________|______|_______|____________

ALIAS RACE SEX AGE

__________________________________________________________________________

| | | | |

__________|__________|________|________|______________|___________________

HEIGHT WEIGHT EYES HAIR COMPLEXION OCCUPATION

______________________________________|___________________________________

DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH SCARS AND MARKS

__________________________________________________________________________

(SEE OTHER SIDE FOR ARREST RECORD)

[Illustration: 416]

DATE | NUMBER | CHARGE | DISPOSITION

______|__________|__________|_________________

| | |

It is advisable to make use of charge-out cards when original index

cards are drawn from the files. Figure 418 shows a charge-out card.

To supplant the 3- by 5-inch index cards mentioned above, many law

enforcement agencies have found it desirable to use a separate sheet,

sometimes referred to as a "History Sheet" or "Information Sheet,"

containing the complete case history of the subject involved. These

separate sheets can be filed by fingerprint number sequence and

contain not only the data such as the known aliases, the fingerprint

classification formula, the arrest number, and other essential items

which are set out on the 3- by 5-inch cards as heretofore described,

but also contain a concise summary of the subject's arrest history,

particularly with reference to his criminal activities in the

particular city. They may also contain a summarized case history with

respect to each arrest or commitment, including such items as the date

and place of arrest, complete home address, relatives, the essential

facts concerning the prosecution of charges, and the ultimate

disposition.

[Illustration: 417]

_Jacket folder file_

When an identification bureau receives prints of individuals on whom

it already has prints, it is not practical to keep more than one set

of prints per person in what may be called the active fingerprint

file. In these instances the better print should be designated a

"Master" print by having the word "Master" stamped thereon. It should

be given a number, to be known as the master number, which number

should also be placed on all other sets of prints which may be found

to be identical with the "Master" print. The "Master" print is placed

in the active files. The extra prints are placed together in a heavy

folder with their master number stamped thereon. This jacket folder is

then filed in a separate cabinet. Also, if copies of all information

regarding an individual, photographs, and FBI transcript of record are

kept in this folder, his complete record will always be assembled in

an easily accessible unit. The "Master" number should also be placed

on the index card and all the alias cards of the individual. Also,

each new alias and arrest number should be placed on the original

index card. The additional records are kept in folders which are

arranged in numerical order, beginning with Nos. 1, 2, 3, and so on.

[Illustration: 418]

1-154 |-----------| | GPO: 1962 OF--663475

| | |

|-----------| |-------------------------

| | | POSTING

|-----------| |-------------------------

| | |

| | |DOB

-------------------------|-----------|-----------|-------------------------

| ASSEMBLY | MISC. | DESCRIPTION

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAME_____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

NAME______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

(ARREST NUMBER) (DEPARTMENT) (CITY) (STATE)

A further suggestion in connection with the maintenance of this folder

file, besides the use of a separate "Master" numbering system, is the

use of the arrest fingerprint number. As indicated previously, each

person arrested and fingerprinted is assigned a number. This number

appears on the fingerprint card, name-index card, and photograph. The

practice of handling every new arrest fingerprint card in the bureau

should include searching the fingerprint card in the fingerprint file

to ascertain if the subject has a previous record. If the subject does

not have a previous record, a new number should be assigned. In this

connection it is noted that only one copy of the fingerprint card

should be maintained in the file by fingerprint classification. To

indicate the new arrest on the old index card, the date of the new

arrest can be shown. Whether the bureau follows the "Master" numbering

system or the "previous arrest" numbering system should make very

little difference in the ultimate purpose. All extra copies of

fingerprint cards, complete record sheets, photographs, and all

information pertaining to the individual are filed away in the folder

file. This complete record is readily accessible at all times. It will

now be found that the bureau has a complete record of each individual

who has an arrest record on file, with provision made for accurate

cross-referencing and checking between names and fingerprints.

_Dispositions_

It is important to the bureau to have complete information concerning

the ultimate disposition on each arrest fingerprint card. If the

disposition of a charge is known at the time the person is

fingerprinted, this fact should be indicated in the space provided on

the fingerprint card. For example, in the case of an individual who is

arrested, fingerprinted, and turned over to the county jail, this

disposition can be indicated on the fingerprint card which is

forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The fingerprint card

should not be held by the bureau pending final disposition of the

charge.

In those cases where the disposition is pending prosecutive or court

action, a separate 3- by 5-inch disposition file can be maintained. On

these cards information concerning the name, fingerprint number, race,

sex, charge, name of the arresting officers, and the fingerprint

classification should appear. These cards are filed in a

pending-disposition file. The 3- by 5-inch disposition cards are made

at the time the fingerprints of the person are taken. When the final

disposition is obtained it should be noted on the card. In those cases

where there is only one fingerprint card in the bureau, the

disposition can be noted on the name-index card or the reverse side of

the bureau's fingerprint card. In those cases where there is a

jacket-folder file for the individual this disposition card can then

be placed in the folder.

"Disposition Sheets" (No. R-84) can be obtained from the Federal

Bureau of Investigation for forwarding this information so that the

files of the FBI will have complete information concerning the

arrests. At the time the final disposition is obtained, these

disposition sheets can be completed and forwarded to the Federal

Bureau of Investigation.

_Death notices_

When persons whose fingerprints are on file are reported as deceased,

the prints should be taken from the active file and assembled with

any other prints of the person concerned. These should be plainly

marked "Dead" and filed in a separate cabinet or section. All the

index cards on this individual should also be marked "Dead" and filed

in a separate section. These should be retained for possible future

reference.

In this connection, "Death Notice" forms (No. R-88) can be obtained

from the Federal Bureau of Investigation so that information

concerning these deaths can be properly noted in its fingerprint file.

_Record of additional arrest_

It is not necessary for a bureau to send a regular fingerprint card to

the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on

individuals who have been arrested repeatedly and whose previous

records are known to the local law enforcement agency. In such cases

the "Record of Additional Arrest" form should be used.

Complete information must be given on this form. It is imperative that

the FBI number and the finger impressions be placed on this form. The

Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation will

send no answer upon receipt of this form.

The form will be placed in the FBI number folder on the individual and

later when a regular fingerprint card is received the arrest

information from all the forms will be compiled and included on the

subject's record as "supported by fingerprints."

"Record of Additional Arrest" forms (No. 1-1) can be obtained from the

Federal Bureau of Investigation.

_Wanted notices_

All wanted notices containing fingerprints, including the wanted

notices inserted in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, should be filed

in the fingerprint file by classification formula, and the names

appearing on these wanted notices should be indexed and placed in the

name files. Concerning the small wanted notices inserted in the FBI

Law Enforcement Bulletin, a suggested procedure would be to paste each

individual notice on a blank 8- by 8-inch white card. The wanted

notices are filed by the fingerprint classification and the names

indexed and placed in the name file. When an apprehension notice is

received concerning the wanted notice, a proper notation should be

made on the name card and the wanted notice in the fingerprint file.

If these canceled wanted notices endanger the efficiency of the file,

it is suggested that the name-index card and the fingerprint-wanted

notice be destroyed. Should the bureau adopt this practice it is

suggested that the 8- by 8-inch cards be used again for other wanted

notices. In this manner it would be possible to use the blank card for

eight of these notices.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will make available to law

enforcement agencies a special "Wanted Notice" form (No. 1-12) in

order that they can place wanted notices against the fingerprints in

the files of the FBI.

_Photographs_

Arrangements should be made to procure a camera for taking photographs

of the persons fingerprinted. This is known as a "mugging" camera and

various types are on the market. It is believed that the photographs

should include a front and side view of the person. In most instances

a scale for indicating height can be made a part of the picture even

though only the upper portion of the individual photographed is taken.

Of course, if the scale is used, the person photographed should be

standing even though only the upper portion of the body appears in the

photograph. The necessary lights should be provided for obtaining

photographs. A standard set of scales should be obtained in order that

the correct weight can be ascertained.

[Illustration: 419]

The negatives and photographs can be filed by fingerprint number in a

separate file. In those cases where the individual has more than one

arrest all the photographs can be placed in the jacket-folder number

file. The negatives, in these instances, can remain in the photograph

file.

_Latent fingerprints_

To adequately develop the latent prints at crime scenes, it is

necessary that the proper equipment be provided. This equipment

includes latent fingerprint powders, brushes, lifting tape,

fingerprint camera, searchlight, and scissors. All of this equipment

can be obtained from commercial fingerprint supply companies. Figure

419 shows some of the equipment used by the FBI. The techniques of

developing latent fingerprints and their uses are more fully explained

in the following chapters.

It is believed that by following the basic ideas outlined, the

officials of law enforcement agencies can be assured of best results

in establishing and maintaining a small identification bureau. For

further information, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will furnish

to duly constituted law enforcement officials any additional data

which may be of material assistance in the maintenance of such a

bureau.