Chapter XV: 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.