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Fingerprinting

Modern fingerprinting as we know it began in 1858 when an English administrator in India, Sir William Herschel, made the first practical application of the science when he commenced placing the inked palm impressions and later thumb impressions of the natives on contracts to prevent impersonation.

In 1902 fingerprinting commenced in New South Wales Gaols and a Fingerprint Bureau was established at Darlinghurst Gaol. Following its successful introduction, it was recommended that the system be introduced in the other states of Australia and New Zealand.

The Tasmanian Fingerprint Bureau commenced operation in Hobart in 1912.

In 1985 a conversion from the manual searching system to a national computerised system began, culminating in December 1989 as the only truly national system in the world. This system is known as AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) and allows for fingerprints to be searched locally and Australia wide.

Fingerprint ridge skin is found on the fingers, palms and soles of the feet. They are used to provide positive identification in both civil and criminal court cases.

Fingerprint charts comparing the print from a crime scene and another from the suspect can be produced. If enough points are the same between the two then there is no doubt who the offender was.