The Science of Fingerprints | Page 2

Hoover]
J. EDGAR HOOVER, Director.

CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. The Identification Division of the FBI 1
II. Types of Patterns and Their Interpretation 5
III. Questionable Patterns 71
IV. The Classification Formula and Extensions 87
V. Classification of Scarred Patterns--Amputation--Missing at Birth 98
VI. Filing Sequence 103
VII. Searching and Referencing 109
VIII. How To Take Inked Fingerprints 114
IX. Problems in the Taking of Inked Fingerprints 118
X. Problems and Practices in Fingerprinting the Dead 131
XI. Establishment of a Local Fingerprint Identification Bureau 160

XII. Latent Impressions 173
XIII. Powdering and Lifting Latent Impressions 175
XIV. Chemical Development of Latent Impressions 177
XV. The Use of the Fingerprint Camera 184
XVI. Preparation of Fingerprint Charts for Court Testimony 190
XVII. Unidentified Latent Fingerprint File 194

CHAPTER I
The Identification Division of the FBI
The FBI Identification Division was established in 1924 when the
records of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the
Leavenworth Penitentiary Bureau were consolidated in Washington,
D.C. The original collection of only 810,000 fingerprint cards has
expanded into many millions. The establishment of the FBI
Identification Division resulted from the fact that police officials of the
Nation saw the need for a centralized pooling of all fingerprint cards
and all arrest records.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation offers identification service free of
charge for official use to all law enforcement agencies in this country
and to foreign law enforcement agencies which cooperate in the
International Exchange of Identification Data. Through this
centralization of records it is now possible for an officer to have
available a positive source of information relative to the past activities
of an individual in his custody. It is the Bureau's present policy to give
preferred attention to all arrest fingerprint cards since it is realized that
speed is essential in this service.
In order that the FBI Identification Division can provide maximum

service to all law enforcement agencies, it is essential that standard
fingerprint cards and other forms furnished by the FBI be utilized.
Fingerprints must be clear and distinct and complete name and
descriptive data required on the form should be furnished in all
instances. Fingerprints should be submitted promptly since delay might
result in release of a fugitive prior to notification to the law
enforcement agency seeking his apprehension.
When it is known to a law enforcement agency that a subject under
arrest is an employee of the U.S. Government or a member of the
Armed Forces, a notation should be placed in the space for
"occupation" on the front of the fingerprint card. Data such as location
of agency or military post of assignment may be added beside the space
reserved for the photograph on the reverse side of the card.
Many instances have been observed where an individual is
fingerprinted by more than one law enforcement agency for the same
arrest. This duplicate submission of fingerprints can be eliminated by
placing a notation on the first set of fingerprints sent to the FBI
requesting copies of the record for other interested law enforcement
agencies, thereby eliminating submission of fingerprints by the latter
agencies.
If a photograph is available at the time fingerprints are submitted to the
FBI Identification Division, it should be identified on the reverse side
with the individual's complete name, name of the department
submitting, the department's number, and it should be securely pasted
in the space provided on the fingerprint card. If a photograph is to be
submitted at a later date, it should be held until the identification record
or "no record" reply from the FBI is received in order that FBI number
or fingerprint classification can be added to the reverse side of the
photograph for assistance of the Identification Division in relating it to
the proper record.
The FBI number, if known, and any request for special handling, such
as collect wire or telephone reply, should be indicated on the
fingerprint card in the appropriate space. Such notations eliminate the
need for an accompanying letter of instructions.

As indicated, the FBI's service is given without cost to regularly
constituted law enforcement agencies and officers. Supplies of
fingerprint cards and self-addressed, franked envelopes will be
forwarded upon the request of any law enforcement officer. The
following types of cards and forms are available: Criminal (Form
FD-249), used for both arrest and institution records; Applicant (Form
FD-258); Personal Identification (Form FD-353); Death Sheet (Form
R-88); Disposition Sheet (Form R-84); Wanted Notice (Form 1-12);
Record of Additional Arrest (Form 1-1). An order form for
identification supplies appears each month with the insert to the FBI
Law Enforcement Bulletin.
In addition to its criminal identification activities, the Bureau's
Identification Division maintains several auxiliary services. Not the
least of these is the system whereby fugitives are identified through the
comparison of fingerprints which are received currently.