The Science of Fingerprints Part 25

In s.h.i.+pping, the hands, fingers, or skins may be placed in preserving solutions such as 5-percent solution of formaldehyde, 5-percent solution of alcohol, or embalming fluid. When hands or fingers are desiccated (dried out), however, it is most desirable that they be placed in airtight containers and sent without any preservative. If gla.s.s containers are used, the specimens should be packed in such a manner as to avoid breakage. Dry ice is a suitable preservative for transmitting such specimens but it should not be used when s.h.i.+pping will take more than 24 hours.

In making up a package using dry ice, the hands or fingers, properly tagged, should be placed in cellophane or paper bags. A material such as sawdust, shavings or similar packing which acts as an insulation is placed around the specimens. A sufficient amount of dry ice is then placed in the package which is then packed tight with more sawdust or shavings. The dry ice should not be in direct contact with the cellophane or paper bags which contain the hands or fingers.

A letter covering transmittal of the specimens should be prepared in duplicate. It should, of course, indicate the sender. The names of any probable victims, s.e.x, race and approximate age of the deceased should, if such information is available, be secured from the coroner or medical examiner and be included in the letter. A copy of the letter should be placed in the package. The original should be mailed separately. Both letter and package should be addressed as follows:

DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WAs.h.i.+NGTON 25, D.C.

Attention: Identification Division--Latent Fingerprint Section.

If the package contains gla.s.s jars it should be marked "Fragile" to insure careful handling in transit.

The package should be sent railway express, prepaid, or, where there is need for speed, by air express, prepaid. When they are received by the Identification Division, the specimens will undergo various treatments which may necessitate further cutting, sc.r.a.ping, etc. In all cases, regardless of condition, the specimens will be returned after examination.

All of the foregoing matter has dealt with instances in which it has been a.s.sumed that all ten fingers are available, or a sufficient number of the fingers of a deceased have been secured and impressions suitable for searching through the fingerprint files of the FBI have been recorded.

There will be cases, however, where only a few, or possibly only one, of the fingers has sufficient ridge detail for identification. In such instances a search through the FBI files would be impractical. This, however, does not preclude the possibility of making a positive identification by the use of the one finger. Though a search through the file is not possible, a comparison can be made with the fingerprints of individuals who it is thought the deceased may be or, in some instances, with the fingerprints of missing persons.

In this connection, where one or only a few fingers are forwarded to the FBI, the names of all possible victims should also be submitted.

The fingerprints of those individuals, if available, will then be taken out of file and compared with the ridge detail on the finger of the deceased in an endeavor to establish a positive identification.

Many such identifications have been effected.

In conjunction with the usual services afforded authorized law enforcement agencies, the services of an FBI fingerprint expert are also made available in those cases where expert testimony is necessary to establish the ident.i.ty of the deceased through fingerprints, providing, of course, such an identification has been made.

Extreme caution should be exercised in the case of the chemicals previously mentioned in this article. Acetone, alcohol, benzine, and xylene are highly inflammable and should neither be used near open flames nor while the operator is smoking. The fumes given off by acetone, benzine, xylene, and formaldehyde are toxic and may cause sickness. They should be used in a well-ventilated room only. It is also suggested that the fingerprint examiner wear rubber gloves when using acetone, benzine, xylene, formaldehyde, pota.s.sium hydroxide, or sodium hydroxide. These chemicals will cause the skin to peel. Strong concentrations may cause burns.

In conclusion, it is pointed out that the procedures and techniques which have been described are those currently being used by the fingerprint experts of the FBI. These methods are fast and the results have been most satisfactory. This Bureau does not claim, however, that satisfactory results cannot be achieved through variations thereof or different methods.

CHAPTER XI

_Establishment of a Local Fingerprint Identification Bureau_

For the information and a.s.sistance of officials who desire to establish a local fingerprint identification bureau, the following suggestions are being made to indicate the princ.i.p.al 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 gla.s.s 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 s.p.a.ce necessary for recording the cla.s.sification 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 cla.s.sifying and comparing fingerprints it is necessary to use a magnifying or fingerprint gla.s.s. Such instruments can be obtained from various commercial sources. Figure 411 shows the type of magnifying gla.s.s used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 408. Diagram of a FINGERPRINT INKING STAND]

The fingerprint cards should be filed according to fingerprint cla.s.sification 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 cla.s.sification 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 cla.s.sification identifying symbols. Figure 413 shows the type of guide card used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 409]

LEAVE THIS s.p.a.cE BLANK |TYPE OR PRINT |s.e.x |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 s.p.a.cE BLANK SCARS AND |AMPUTATION | | MARKS | |------------------|CLa.s.s | |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 subst.i.tute card is put in its place, to remain until the return of the card. This subst.i.tute card, or "charge-out" card, is of a different color from the fingerprint card and slightly longer. On it are recorded the name, the cla.s.sification 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 410]

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WAs.h.i.+NGTON, 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 INSt.i.tUTIONS 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 s.p.a.ce |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 s.p.a.ce 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 a.s.signed 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 cla.s.sification 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 411]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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 cla.s.sification 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 413]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 414]

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |FBI NUMBER |Followed +--------+--------+----------+----------+-------+-------------+ |a.s.sEMBLY| POST G | N-IDENTS | DOC. LAB | MISC. | | +--------+--------+----------+----------+-------+ | |Searched Thru| +-------------+

................................. Cla.s.sification....................

MASTER PRINT NAME