Title of paper – Introduction to Forensic science

` Fingerprint Bureaus Introduction to Forensic Science Prof. Devasish Bose

Introduction to Forensic science

Prof. Devasish Bose
Head,
Department of Criminology & Forensic Science,
Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar (M.P.)
Check List
MODULES FAQS LOR OBJECTIVES SUMMARY QUIZ ASSINGME REFERENCE GLOSSARY LINKS
NTS

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Full academic script (around 3000 words)
Fingerprint Bureaus
Module 1. Introduction and Concept of Fingerprint Bureaus.
Module 2. Historical Background.
Module 3. Organizational Set up of Fingerprint Bureaus.
Module 4. Objectives of Fingerprint Bureaus.
Module 5. Functions of Fingerprint Bureaus.
Module 6. Conclusion.

EXPERT: Prof. Devasish Bose, Head of the Department of Criminology and Forensic Science,
Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, (M.P.).

Assisted by: Miss. Priyanka Pahade, PhD, Scholar (UGC, JRF), Department of Criminology and
Forensic Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, (M.P.).

Let’s start our discussion

Module 1. Introduction and Concept of Fingerprint Bureaus-

Dear student today I came here with an interesting lecture related with finger print bureau. I
think as a forensic students most of you know the importance of finger print as it plays very
important and crucial role in criminal justice system since ancient time. First of all I would like
to tell you what is finger prints, in very simple way finger prints are the impressions of friction
ridges that are present on the palmer surface of finger tips. These friction ridges have a specific
detail on the gripping surfaces with an enhanced quantity of nerves and pores, these tiny raised
peaks and valleys are located on the tips of the fingers along with sweat pores. Human
fingerprints are, nearly unique, they are difficult to alter, and cannot change over the life of an
individual except in case of deep injury and amputation, this quality makes them suitable as
long-term markers of human identity. Fingerprints are considered to be a foolproof means of
identification according to statistical evaluation of Victor Balthazard the probability of finding
same finger print of two person is 1060 all over the world.

As you all know that in earlier time it is not easy to identify fingerprints without taking them on
papers, so finger print expert started taking impressions of all fingers on paper and started
comparison as well as examination of friction ridge characteristics of finger prints. Henry
approached the Government to pursue approval for replacing the anthropometric data by
fingerprints for the identification of habitual criminal’s government readily agreed and the first
finger print bureau of world was officially declared open at Calcutta in July 1897 by efforts of
the police chief of south Bengal, Sir Edward Richard Henry. After that Bengal was the first state
established its own finger print bureau. Today’s almost all state have their own finger print
bureau at state level as well as single digit fingerprint bureau at district level or finger print
section in forensic science laboratory or finger print bureau. Finger print bureau is place where
examination and comparison of fingerprints are carried out.

When finger prints are used for criminal investigation two types of identification are generally
carried out firstly - Personal identification and second is chance Print identification or latent
finger print identification found at crime scene. Personal identification involves establishing the
true identity of a person who are already in custody. But, in forensic science or criminal
investigation system the most important and crucial work of finger print bureau is to linking the
finger impressions identified and lifted from the scene of crime to the criminal who committed
the crime and is called' chance print ' or ‘latent print’ identification.

To achieve these objectives the record of finger prints of convicted persons are maintained in the
Finger Print Bureau under specific schedule of offences. The records are stored in two
categories- Ten digit Finger print records using Henry system of classification for personal
identification and single digit records using Battley system of classification for scene of crime
print identification.

This system has work from century and it has established its effectiveness as a reliable
investigator's tool to revealing the truth in several crimes world over. With the advent of
information technology this system maintained essentially by the manual efforts of the experts, is
now being automated for faster responses, and finger print records are now being computerized.

Module 2. Historical background-

Dear students after introduction we are moving towards the historical background of finger print
because finger print bureau and finger print both are linked with each other. In ancient world
fingerprint was taken on clay tablets for business purpose in Babylon in 1000-2000 B.C. around
3rd century thumbprints had been taken on clay seals to “sign” documents. After long time in
1686, a professor of anatomy in University of Bologna, Italy named Marcello Malpighi noted
that no two fingerprints were an exact match the he was observed common characteristics of
spirals, loops and ridges in fingerprints. In 1823 by J. Purkinje, professor of anatomy with the
University of Breslau, Prussia, details a full nine different fingerprint patterns. In 1858, the Chief
Magistrate of the Hooghly district in Jungipoor, Bengal, India, Sir William Herschel, first used
fingerprints to “sign” contracts with native Indians. The most important work in history of
fingerprint has been done in 1896 by British official Sir Edward Richard Henry in Bengal he has
introduced a fingerprinting program for all prisoners. He also developed his own system of
classification. Sir Henry gave the idea of tracing a criminal from the latent prints found at the
scene of crime and came to the conclusion that no two fingerprints are alike. The ideas of
William Herschel and Henry Fauld have been taken by Sir Francis Galton, who established
scientifically the basic principles of uniqueness and permanency of finger prints. He was
officially established a first finger print bureau of the world at Calcutta in July 1897. After that
Sir Edward Richard Henry, employed few selected Indian police officers, viz. Khan Bahadur
Azizul Huq and Rai Bahadur Hem Chandra Bose to work under his general supervision till the
classification was evolved, which remains the basic system even to-day. It was Khan Bahadur
Azizul Huq who evolved a mathematical formula to supplement Henry’s idea of sorting slips in
1024 pigeon holes, based on fingerprint patterns. Rai Bahadur Hem Chandra Bose made further
contribution to the fingerprint science by evolving an extended system of sub-classification, a
telegraphic code for finger impression and a system of single-digit classification.

As you all know that as technology grown worldwide Automated Fingerprint Identification
System (AFIS) was developed by Federal Bureau of investigation (FBI). It has taken advantages
over manual fingerprint identification and comparison system. Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS) work all over the world but India has developed its own version of
AFIS called FACTS (Fingerprint Analysis & Criminal Tracing System), which has been co-
developed, by NCRB and CMC Ltd., India. The system uses Image Processing and Pattern
Recognition technique to capture, encode, store and match fingerprints, including comparison of
latent prints found at scene of crime.

As I mentioned earlier that World’s First Finger Print Bureau was set up in Calcutta in1897.
After that another Central Finger Print Bureau (CFPB) was established at Shimla in 1905,
although it was closed in 1922 as a result of retrenchment proposals of the Inchcape Committee.
The present Central Finger Print Bureau came into existence in 1955 under the administrative
control of Intelligence Bureau at Delhi. It was relocated to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1956. The
administrative control of Central Finger Print Bureau shifted to Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) in 1973, and since July, 1986, this has been under the administrative control of national
Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). Now a days each state forensic science laboratory have their
own fingerprint sections of individual finger print bureau.

Module 3. Organizational Set Up of Fingerprint Bureaus-

Different state have their different organizational set up but here we will discuss common
organizational structure of finger print bureaus all over the country. The finger prints bureau or
finger print section in most of the state of India are working under state crime record bureau or as
individual unit which are separate from forensic science laboratory but in some state this bureaus
are work as a section or unit of forensic science laboratory. The common organizational set up is
as follow-

Organizational structure

Working group
Control group

Superintendent of Police
Additional Director
General

Additional Superintendent
Inspector General of Police

Deputy Superintendent of
Deputy Inspector Police
General

Inspector of police
Additional Inspector
General

Sub Inspector

Dear students now we will talk about how this organization is working. In all finger print bureau
sub inspectors (SI) of finger print bureau are responsible for classifying fingerprint slips. They
also carry out recording of fingerprint slips in property cases under the Single Digit system.
Inspectors of finger print unit visit scenes of crime and develop chance prints or latent finger
prints present there. In serious or high profile cases, Deputy Superintendent of police (DSPs)
related to finger print also visit the scene of crime.
The fingerprint staff were originally known by their designations such as Fingerprint Searcher,
Fingerprint expert, Fingerprint Superintendent and Director of finger print bureau according to
their work and designation.

Module 4. Objectives of Finger Print Bureaus-

 To maintain Finger Print record slips of the accused person convicted in various acts.
 To conduct search relating to unidentified interstate arrested/suspected persons received
from police stations and other investigating agencies in India.
 To maintain the fingerprints of international criminals and red corner notices sent by
Interpol and to conduct search on references received from foreign countries, through
Interpol.
 To undertake examination of questioned finger impressions on documents received from
central government departments, undertakings, courts of law etc.
 To impart training in Fingerprint Science to State or Central Police personnel and also to
personnel from foreign countries under ‘Technical Co- Operation Scheme’ (TCS) of
Colombo Plan, 'Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan' (SCAAP) and
`International Technical and Economic Co-Operation' (ITEC).
 To co-ordinate the work of the State Finger Print Bureaux and give necessary guidance in
all matters relating to Fingerprint Science.
 To conduct the All India Conference of Directors of Finger Print Bureaux.
 To conduct All India Board Examination annually for accrediting Finger Print Experts.
 To conduct competition in Finger Print science at the All India Police Duty Meet held
annually.

Module 5. Function of Finger Print Bureaus-

A. Functions of Central Finger Print Bureau-

The main functions of the Central Finger Print Bureau have been mainly to maintain a database
of fingerprint of criminals, National & International, and to disseminate the information. This
was aimed at:
 1. To maintain Finger Print Record Slips, conduct search of specified categories of Indian
and foreign criminals convicted of offences falling under the schedule of crime of Central
Finger Print Bureau, and also, to maintain records of international criminals sent by the
International Police Organization (Interpol) Division of Central Bureau of Investigation
and Narcotics Control Bureau, New Delhi.
2. To undertake examination of questioned finger impressions referred by Central
government departments and government of India undertakings.
3. To impart training in finger print Science (Theory and Practical) to police and non-police
personnel of state government in India and personnel from foreign countries under
'Technical Co-operation Scheme' of Colombo Plan, 'Special Commonwealth African
Assistance Plan' and International Technical and Economic Co-operation' with other
developing countries.
4. To Co-ordinate the work of the State Finger Print Bureaux and give necessary guidance
in all matters relating to finger print Science. To conduct All Indian Board Examination
(since 1956) every year for accrediting the Finger Print Experts. The eligibility to appear
in the examination is a graduate from a recognized university and who has completed
three years practical experience in finger print work.
5. To conduct All Indian Board Examination (since 1956) every year for accrediting the
Finger Print Experts. The eligibility to appear in the examination is a graduate from a
recognized university and who has completed three years practical experience in finger
print work.
6. To conduct competition in Finger Print Science at the All India Police Duty Meet (since
1958) annually.
7. To publish ‘Finger Print in India’, an annual publication, which is an in-depth study of
the performance and activities of all the Finger Print Bureaux of the country

B. Functions of State Finger Print Bureau

The main functions of this Bureau are:

 Record Wing:
1. Recording of Finger Print Slips of convicted persons in the state.
 2. Maintenance and updating of Fingerprint & conviction details of convicted
persons.
 Search Wing:
1. Search of Finger Print Slips to collect previous history of arrested persons.
Whenever a person is arrested, his finger print slip will be taken and forwarded to
the bureau. On searching the same among the records we can find out whether
he/she is an ex-convict, his actual name and address, how many convictions have
been recorded in his name, whether he is wanted in any cases, and in which cases
he had been traced for etc.
2. Identification of un-identified dead bodies: - Whenever an un-identified dead
body is found, its finger prints are taken and forwarded to the bureau. We can find
out the identity, if he is an ex-convict. If it is suspected as that of some known
person, but could not be identified, it can be identified by using some specimens
finger prints from documents like title deeds, Thumb impression register of the
Sub-Registrar's Office, identity cards etc.
 Document Wing:
1. Giving Expert Opinion in Civil & Criminal cases regarding Fingerprint Disputes.
 AFIS (Automated Finger Print Identification System):
1. Bureau is maintaining a database of criminals which is frequently updated. The
system has helped the identification of several unsolved cases which include the
detection of other state cases.
 Advanced Research Laboratory:
1. Many state finger print bureau developed advanced research laboratory which will
enhance original contributions in the field of Dactyloscopy.
 Training:
1. Finger Print Bureau is imparting training to professional of various branches. This
includes Medical Director General (DG) and Post Graduate (PG) students, Law
students, Engineering Post Graduate students etc. This is in addition to the
training imparted to judicial officers and police officers
 Other Functions:
 1. Jail Testing to prevent impersonation and to ensure the accuracy of criminal
profile details. The Inspectors of the State Fingerprint Bureau frequently visit Jails
to check whether the persons originally convicted by the court are put behind the
bars.
2. Giving oral evidence in courts:- The experts are required to give oral evidence in
courts whenever they are cited as expert witnesses.
3. Attestation of Finger Prints of civilians for immigration purposes.

C. Functions of Single Digit Finger Print Bureau at district level-

There are district units of the Finger Print bureau, having offices in all the Police Districts.
Unlike the main bureau, the Single Digit Bureaux have ten record cards for each convicts, one
record for each finger (digit). These records are called Single Digit Fingerprint Records. Hence
the name, Single Digit Finger Print Bureau. These district units are directly aiding criminal
investigation. The main functions of the bureau are-

 Inspection of Scene of Crime to gather Fingerprint Evidence. The finger print experts of
the Single Digit Finger Print Bureau visit scenes of crime immediately on receipt of
request from the investigating officers. They develop chance prints or latent finger prints
using different optical, physical and chemicals methods and photograph the latent print
developed by these methods. All kinds of modern technology are being utilized for
developing and recording and lifting latent prints from the scene of crime.
 Comparison of latent finger prints. The latent finger print developed by physical or
chemical methods are compared manually or automatically with the available records that
are daily arrest finger print slips, prints of suspected persons etc. Un-identified chance
prints are kept safely and regularly compared with the incoming Daily Arrest Fingerprint
Slips received from Police Stations of that district. The un-identified chance prints are
also compared with the finger print slips recorded in the Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (AFIS) at finger print bureau for a state-wide search. Finger Print
Experts of the Single Digit Finger Print Bureau frequently visit other district bureaux in
the state as well as outside the state for comparison of chance prints.
  Maintains Single Digit Records of convicted persons. Finger prints of all the persons
convicted in the district are kept recorded in the Bureau.
 Giving oral evidence in courts: - The Finger Print Expert who inspected the Scene of
Crime will be an Expert Witness in that case. They are required to give oral evidence in
courts.
 Confirmation of finger prints for settlement purposes.

Module 6. Conclusion

Today you all learnt about the finger print bureaus in India, we have discussed about world’s
first finger print bureau and his founder Sir William Herschel who established it in India, apart
from finger print bureau you all have also taken knowledge about the organizational structure of
finger print bureau and which officers are responsible for their organization and working as well
as their control group and working group. In this lecture we have seen the functions of finger
print bureau at central level, state level and district level. So finally you all gain the interesting
fact that now a days India has only one central finger print which is working under National
Crime Record bureau. Finally all the best and good luck.

II. LORs

Q.1. Where was first finger print bureau of world established?

Ans. The world’s first finger print bureau was officially declared open at Calcutta in July 1897
by efforts of the police chief of south Bengal, Sir Edward Richard Henry.

Q.2 Write down the full form of AFIS?

Ans. Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

Q.3. Write down the name of two Indian who worked with Sir Edward Henry?

Ans. They are Khan Bahadur Azizul Huq and Rai Bahadur Hem Chandra Bose.

Q.4. What is the full form of SCAAP and ITEC?

Ans. 'Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan' (SCAAP) and `International Technical
and Economic Co-Operation' (ITEC).

Q.5. What is finger prints?

Ans. Finger prints are the impressions of friction ridges that are present on the palmer surface of
finger tips. These friction ridges have a specific detail on the gripping surfaces with an enhanced
quantity of nerves and pores.

III. FAQs

Q.1. What is finger print bureau?

Ans. This is a place where analysis, identification and comparison of finger print carried out.
This organization are set up at district level, state level and central level in India. They have
different function according to their jurisdiction.

Q.2. How many types of identification can be done by finger print?

Ans. Two types of identification are generally carried out first is Personal identification for
checking identity and second is chance Print identification or latent finger print identification
which are found at crime scene.

Q.3. Where was Sir William Herschel appointed in India and what he did?

Ans. In 1858, Sir William Herschel appointed as a Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in
Jungipoor, Bengal, India. Sir William Herschel, first used fingerprints to “sign” contracts with
native Indians. The most important work in history of fingerprint has been done in 1896, British
official Sir Edward Richard Henry in Bengal, introduced a fingerprinting program for all
prisoners.

Q.4. Who developed AFIS?

Ans. Automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) was developed by Federal Bureau of
investigation (FBI) have taken advantages over manual fingerprint identification and comparison
system. This instrument reduced the work of manual finger print identification and comparison.
Q.5. How world’s first Central Finger Print Bureau was established?

Ans. World’s First Finger Print Bureau was set up in Calcutta in1897. After that another Central
Finger Print Bureau (CFPB) was established at Shimla in 1905, however it was closed in 1922 as
a result of retrenchment proposals of the Inchcape Committee. The present Central Finger Print
Bureau came into existence in 1955 under the administrative control of Intelligence Bureau at
Delhi. It was relocated to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1956. The administrative control of Central
Finger Print Bureau shifted to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 1973, and since July,
1986, this has been under the administrative control of national Crime Record Bureau (NCRB).

Q.6. Write down any one function of Single Digit Finger Print Bureau at district level.

Ans. Comparison of latent finger prints. The latent finger print developed by physical or
chemical methods are compared manually or automatically with the available records that are
daily arrest finger print slips, prints of suspected persons etc. Un-identified chance prints are kept
safely and regularly compared with the incoming Daily Arrest Fingerprint Slips received from
Police Stations of that district. The un-identified chance prints are also compared with the finger
print slips recorded in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) at finger print
bureau for a state-wide search. Finger Print Experts of the Single Digit Finger Print Bureau
frequently visit other district bureaux in the state as well as outside the state for comparison of
chance prints.

Q.8.? What is the contribution of Sir Edward Richard Henry in history of finger print
bureau?

Ans. The most important work in history of fingerprint has been done in 1896, British official Sir
Edward Richard Henry in Bengal, introduced a fingerprinting program for all prisoners. He also
developed a system of his own, which included 1,024 primary classifications. Sir Henry gave the
idea of tracing a criminal from the latent prints found at the scene of crime and came to the
conclusion that no two fingerprints are alike. The ideas of William Herschel and Henry Fauld
have been taken by Sir Francis Galton, who established scientifically the basic principles of
uniqueness and permanency of finger prints.
IV.OBJECTIVES-

1. The objective of this lecture is to aware forensic science students about finger print
bureaus of India.
2. Students will understand how fingerprint bureau is working.
3. To provide information about organizational structure of fingerprint bureaus.
4. How this organization function at district level, state level, and central level.
5. To know the objectives of fingerprint bureau.

V. SUMMERY-

This lecture was based on the finger print bureaus, historical background of finger print in India.
How first finger print bureau of world have been established. The chronological establishment of
finger print and its use in criminal justice system which has been increasing time to time. We are
happy to say that the India is a first country where first finger print bureau of worlds was
established. In this lecture, I have explained about the finger prints bureaus working at central
level, state level and district level and their organizational setup. You all have also taken
knowledge about the officers who are responsible for organization and working of finger print
bureau and their control group as well as working group. Moreover, the functions of finger print
bureau at central level, state level and district level. So, finally you all gain the interesting fact
that now a days India has only one central finger print which is working under National Crime
Record bureau. Finally all the best and good luck.

VI. QUIZ

Q.1. When CFPB come in control of IB?

A. In year 1958
B. In year 1955
C. In year 1973
D. In year 1983

Ans. B
Q.2. From July 1986 CFPB working under?

A. NCRB
B. BPR&D
C. DFSS
D. None of the above

Ans. A

Q.3. What is the full form of BPR&D?

A. Bureau of Policy Research and Development

B. Bureau of Policy Rules and Development
C. Bureau of Policy Research and Development
D. Bureau of Policy Research and Diploma

Ans. C

Q.4. Single digit recording of finger print done by?

A. Primary examination
B. Battley system
C. Secondary examination
D. All of the above

Ans. B

Q.5. Who identified nine patterns of finger print?

A. Sir William Herschel

B. Sir Edward Henry
C. J. Purkinje
D. Henry Fauld

Ans. C

Q.6. Who establish scientific basis for examination of finger print?

 A. Sir William Herschel
B. Sir Edward Henry
C. J. Purkinje
D. Sir Francis Galton

Ans. D

Q.7. Full form of ADG-

A. Additional Director General

B. Additional Deputy General
C. Additional Deputy Governor
D. None of the above

Ans. A

VII. ASSIGNMENT-

Q.1. Write down short note on finger print bureau.

Q.2. What do you know about history of Finger print in international perspective make a note?
Q.3. Write down the functions of central finger print bureau.
Q.4. Which unit is present at District level for finger print identification?
Q.5. Write down your views on development methods for finger prints in world?

VIII. REFERENCES

1. David H. Bayley, 2015; Police and Political Development in India, Princeton University
Press
2. Sharma J D; 1988; Vidhivigyan Avem Vish Vigya

IX. GLOSSRY-

1. Automated- this is a mechanical process, industry, office, etc. process which apply the
principles of automation.
 2. Latent print- in common word latent means hidden or invisible, but in forensic science
the term latent prints means any chance or accidental impression left by friction ridge
skin on a surface.
3. Investigation- in forensic science investigation is a process to observe or study by
close examination and systematic inquiry.
4. Anatomy- this is the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans,
animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the
separation of parts.
5. Identification- the action or process of identifying someone or something or the fact of
being identified.
6. Unique- which having no like or equal, unparalleled, incomparable.
7. Comparison- in finger print this is the act of comparing two or more finger prints.
8. Criminal- he/ she is a person who has committed a crime.
9. Finger print expert- he is a specialist in identifying fingerprints.
10. Guideline- a general rule, principle, or piece of advice.
11. Examination- in finger print the examination means a detailed inspection or study of
finger print patterns found at crime scene.
12. Automated- this involves convert to largely automatic operation from mechanical
work.

X. LINKS-

1. www.keralapolice.org\
2. www.ncerb.com
3. www.cfpb.com