In 1892, Inspector Eduardo Alvarez made the first fingerprint identification regarding a criminal case in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Alvarez found bloody fingerprints left on a door post, which belonged to Francisca Rojas, a mother who killed her two sons and cut her throat in an attempt to appear innocent. Indeed, fingerprinting has become a crucial part of investigations because every person’s prints are unique and lasting, which can help law enforcement identify unnamed victims and criminals. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly fingerprinting is and the different types of fingerprinting methods used today.
What is Fingerprinting?
Fingerprinting is a careful process in which prints are made from the friction or raised epidermis ridges on every part of the finger, palm, or foot. Typically, the term fingerprint refers to impressions transferred from the pad on the last joint of the finger and thumb. Fingerprint cards can also record the lower joint areas of the fingers to help identify a person.
Fingerprints are a reliable way to identify a person because each person has a unique fingerprint. Even identical twins still have different fingerprints. Another interesting fact is that prints can last for many years, as long as they are stored correctly. Since fingerprints can be used as evidence in solving crimes and in court, a trained expert must take the prints. These experts will analyze the print’s patterns, which helps them identify unknown victims, witnesses, and suspects in investigations.
Traditional Ink Cards
When you think of fingerprinting, traditional ink cards probably come to mind. This traditional printing method is fairly straightforward. A person’s fingertips are coated in ink and then each finger is rolled over a card, which makes a fingerprint. The card is then processed in a fingerprinting database. While this method is still used, the downside is that it takes longer to process and receive the print results. When dealing with a time-sensitive case, this is not the best method to use.
Electronic Fingerprinting
Unlike ink cards, electronic fingerprinting is an all-digital solution. Each person’s fingerprints are recorded digitally and used to perform a criminal record search within state or federal databases. If your company needs an easy and fast fingerprinting solution, you may want to consider electronic fingerprinting. There are some additional benefits of this digital approach, such as being more reliable than ink cards because digital fingerprint images can be scanned and uploaded into a database. The digital method means that ink is not needed, which means less mess for everyone involved.
If you need to record your fingerprints for your next job or perhaps for a case, it’s recommended that you contact a trained and licensed professional. These experts will provide fast and efficient fingerprinting services, so you get the results you need. Contact PATRIOT Backgrounds and Investigations today to learn more about our fingerprinting and other services. We would love to become your new Davie, Florida private investigators!
