The Science of Fingerprints | Page 3

When a law
enforcement officer desires the apprehension of a fugitive and the
fingerprints of that individual are available, it is necessary only that he
inform the Bureau of this fact so a wanted notice may be placed in the
fugitive's record. This insures immediate notification when the
fugitive's fingerprints are next received.
The fugitive service is amplified by the Bureau's action in transmitting
a monthly bulletin to all law enforcement agencies which forward
fingerprints for its files. In this bulletin are listed the names,
descriptions, and fingerprint classifications of persons wanted for
offenses of a more serious character. This information facilitates
prompt identifications of individuals arrested for any offense or
otherwise located by those receiving the bulletin.
Missing-persons notices are posted in the Identification files so that any
incoming record on the missing person will be noted. Notices are
posted both by fingerprint card and by name, or by name alone if
fingerprints are not available. The full name, date, and place of birth,
complete description and photograph of a missing person should be
forwarded, along with fingerprints, if available. Upon receipt of
pertinent information, the contributing agency is advised immediately.

A section on missing persons is carried as an insert in the Law
Enforcement Bulletin.
The FBI Identification Division has arranged with the identification
bureaus of many foreign countries to exchange criminal identifying
data in cases of mutual interest. Fingerprints and arrest records of
persons arrested in this country are routed to the appropriate foreign
bureaus in cases when the interested agency in the United States has
reason to believe an individual in custody may have a record in or be
wanted by the other nation. Similarly, fingerprints are referred to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation by foreign bureaus when it seems a
record may be disclosed by a search of the Bureau's records. Numerous
identifications, including a number of fugitives, have been effected in
this manner, and it is believed that the complete development of this
project will provide more effective law enforcement throughout the
world. When the facts indicate an individual may have a record in
another country, and the contributor submits an extra set of his
fingerprints, they are transmitted by this Bureau to the proper
authorities.
In very rare cases persons without hands are arrested. A file on
footprints is maintained in the Identification Division on such
individuals.
In view of the fact that many individuals in the underworld are known
only by their nicknames, the Identification Division has for years
maintained a card-index file containing in alphabetical order the
nicknames appearing on fingerprint cards. When requesting a search of
the nickname file, it is desired that all possible descriptive data be
furnished.
The Latent Fingerprint Section handles latent print work. Articles of
evidence submitted by law enforcement agencies are processed for the
development of latent impressions in the Latent Fingerprint Section. In
addition, photographs, negatives, and lifts of latents are scrutinized for
prints of value for identification purposes. Photographs of the prints of
value are always prepared for the FBI's files and are available for
comparisons for an indefinite period. Should the law enforcement

agency desire additional comparisons it needs only advise the FBI
Identification Division, attention Latent Fingerprint Section, and either
name or submit the prints of the new suspect. It is not necessary to
resubmit the evidence. When necessary, a fingerprint expert will testify
in local court as to his findings. Should a department have any special
problems involving the development or preservation of fingerprints at a
crime scene, the experts are available for suggestions. In connection
with the Latent Fingerprint Section there is maintained a general
appearance file of many confidence game operators. Searches in this
file will be made upon request. In furnishing data on a suspect, the
agency should make sure that complete descriptive data is sent in.
Photographs and other material on individuals who may be identical
with those being sought will be furnished to the interested departments.
During the years many persons have voluntarily submitted their
fingerprints to the Identification Division for possible use in the case of
an emergency. These cards are not filed with the criminal fingerprints
but are maintained separately. Such prints should be taken on the
standard fingerprint form entitled "Personal Identification" (Form
FD-353). No answer is given to Personal Identification fingerprint
cards.
The fingerprint records of the FBI Identification Division are used
liberally not only by police agencies to obtain previous fingerprint
histories and to ascertain whether persons arrested are wanted
elsewhere, but by prosecutors to whom the information from the
Bureau's files may prove to be valuable in connection with the
prosecution of a case. These records are likewise of frequent value to
the judge for his consideration in connection with the imposition of
sentence. Obviously, the ends of justice may be