U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Fingerprint Sourcebook - Chapter 5: Systems of Friction Ridge Classification

NCJ Number
225325
Author(s)
Laura A. Hutchins
Date Published
2010
Length
26 pages
Annotation

This chapter from the Fingerprint Sourcebook presents an historical overview of systems of friction ridge classification.

Abstract

Systems for classification and identification of individual criminals have evolved over time as populations have grown and become more diversified. This chapter from the Fingerprint Sourcebook is divided into 11 sections that provide information on the development of systems of friction ridge classification. The first several sections present an overview of the history of criminal identification that includes discussions of early classification systems and the work of Dr. Henry Faulds, who established a connection between fingerprints and individualization, and the birth of the modern system of classification. Sections 5.5 and 5.6 discuss the development of single-fingerprint systems and footprint and palmprint classification systems, respectively, while section 5.7 discusses the use of computer automation in print classification. Tables, figures, and references