A Numerical and Dual-Purpose System of Finger-Print Classification
| Author | Douglas Grant |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X4601900309 |
| Date | 01 July 1946 |
| Published date | 01 July 1946 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
ANumerical and Dual-Purpose System
of Finger-Print Classification
By
SERGEANl'
DOUGLAS
GRANT
Glasgow City Police
THERE are more than fifty methods of classifying and filing finger-
prints in use throughout the world to-day, the majority of which
are based either on the Henry (British) or the Vucetich (Argentine)
systems.
It
matters not, however, what system is
used:
finger-prints
are classified and filed for two
reasons-to
identify persons for criminal
record purposes and to establish the identity of the perpetrators of
certain classes of crimes by means of finger impressions found at
crime scenes.
To
meet these requirements collections of finger-prints have been
built up, in the case of the former by classifying and filing the impres-
sions of the ten fingers together (Main Collection), and for the latter, by
classifying and filing the impressions of the ten fingers separately
(Single Finger-Print Collection).
The
object of this system is to combine the functions of both these
collections and is attained by classifying and filing the finger impres-
sions belonging to each hand separately. Two collections are thus
formed, one containing the prints of the right hand and the other those
of the left hand.
The
method of recording the impressions is the same
as that in general use,
but
the form is so designed that it can be cut in
two before filing. See Fig.
2.
The
system introduces new features in methods of classification
and arrangement by using a numerical system to indicate the various
patterns disclosed, also their sub-division, and by the grouping of
certain digits in the classification formula. Furthermore, additional
sub-groups are provided by recording every type of pattern disclosed
and by dispensing entirely with the use of the ridge count limits imposed
by the Henry system.
Although the system is devised primarily to facilitate the search for
and identification of imprints found at crime scenes, the collections will
include
the
finger-prints of all persons convicted of criminal charges,
thus fulfilling the function of a Main Collection. On the other hand,
the collections will provide a more exhaustive search for imprints from
crime scenes and will thereby ultimately yield a higher percentage of
identifications than would be obtained from a Single Finger-Print
Collection which included the finger-prints of persons convicted for
crimes of breaking and entering only.
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