The Science of Fingerprinting
Fingerprints have been relied on by the justice system for years, but where did it start, and what happens when the science is wrong?
Tour any museum today and behind the glass will be ancient ceramics and pottery, off-limits to children’s sticky fingers and the wear and tear from passing spectators. But look closely and those treasures will still be adorned with fingerprints. These are from the hands that made them; the Egyptians or ancient Greeks who have left their unique mark all over those priceless possessions.
The use for fingerprints dates back to 1200 BC, where in ancient China, fingerprints were used to sign documents, rather than wet signatures. Even Babylonian king Hammurabi understood the importance of tracking fingerprints and made sure that everyone who was arrested for a crime had their prints taken, even if the forensic value wasn’t relevant at the time.
There are three types of fingerprints
Latent fingerprints can’t be seen with the naked eye and need assistance by forensic powder or chemicals.
Plastic fingerprints are when a fingerprint leaves an indentation in a softer material, like wax.
Patent fingerprints are where the skin is contaminated with a substance and the print is visible on a surface, like oil.
