THE UNIQUE SIGNATURE

Introduction
The palmer surface of the hands (palms) and the plantar surface of the foot (under foot) are covered by a layer of corrugated skin to ensure a firm grasp and avoid slippage. The elevated surfaces are known as papillary or friction ridges while the valley formed between the two ridges is known as furrows or grooves. The distinct patterns formed by these ridges and furrows are called fingerprints. The ridges are dotted with numerous sweat pores discharging perspiration that is largely made up of 98.5% water and other organic acids, salts, urea and albumin. It is these patterns and ridge characteristics that are studied during the course of investigation for identity to be established.

History of Fingerprinting
Man's consciousness of the patterned ridges on his palms and fingers dates back to centuries beyond the Christian era. The face of a cliff in Nova Scotia bears a prehistoric Indian picture painting of a hand with ridge patterns crudely marked. Fingerprints were used on pottery to indicate the maker and the brand of the potter. Scholars refer to fingerprint impressions on clay tablets recording business transactions in ancient Babylon and thumbprints on the clay seals on ancient Chinese origin. Evidence exists that Chinese used fingerprints to sign legal documents as far back as three thousand years ago.

Early in the 12th century a Chinese author Shinaingan wrote a series of crime novels entitled "The Story of the River Bank" wherein fingerprints were used in criminal identification. This shows that the science of fingerprinting was used centuries back in crime investigation. Almost every country in the world holds some record traces of hand and finger impressions and their various uses.

Organization Chart

Case Prognosis

Dactlyloscopy - The science of identification of a person through the study of fingerprints is known as Dactyloscopy. An integral wing of the police department, experts from the fingerprints bureau visit the crime scene and collect available fingerprints the accused might have left behind. The prints are then compared with those in the records and the final analysis submitted to the department investigating the crime. Fingerprint experts play a crucial role in the identification of the accused. Fingerprints are recorded to serve the following purposes:

Uniqueness: Fingerprints from two different fingers are never identical. Even in the case of identical twins the fingerprints have been found to be different.  

Permanence: Fingerprints begin to take form on the palmar surfaces during the 3rd or 4th month of foetal life. From the birth to death the ridge patterns grow and expand but no changes take place in the number or arrangement of friction ridges. The fingerprints of an individual are unique patterns and indelible signatures he carries from cradle to grave.  

Universality: Each individual is born with fingers that bear on it friction ridge patterns.  

Simplicity of Recording: Impressions of the finger get recorded on almost all surfaces. From the surface that bears the impressions of the finger it is easy for the analysis to be conducted. 

Simplicity of Classification: Large collections of fingerprint slips can be classified in a manner such that it can be taken easily retrieved. This has been made a much easier and faster task since the computerization of fingerprints records. 

How are fingerprints studied / Methods used to develop the prints
Fingerprints left by the culprit at the scene of crime are known as “Chance Prints”. Rightly termed as “a burglar’s visiting cards”, these prints are categorized as Visible Prints, Plastic Prints and Latent Prints. The sweat pores on the palmer surface of the skin release perspiration mixed with dust, dirt and oily matter that forms a colorless, greasy film which on chemical reaction displays the fingerprints of the individual.