Page 46 - Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

HISTOR Y OF AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS 31

Bertillon. Believing that the time and actions required to capture finger images
were too cumbersome and the records too difficult to review, Bertillon devised
a new method based on physical measurements of the human body. His premise
was that physical measurements, once taken and recorded, would not change
over time. This process is called Bertillonage or anthropometry.
The recording process, however, was both difficult and tedious. Staff trained
in the process measured the head length and width, height, trunk, length of
outstretched arms and fingers, etc. This information was recorded and filed.
Making an identification required a significant amount of time and money. The
process was very complex and labor intensive.
In 1883, Bertillon began to build a database of criminals in Paris using these
anatomical measurements. The system would identify anyone who had under-
gone the measurement process. He began to receive public recognition for his
process later that same year, when he positively identified an imposter. This
identification vindicated anthropometry and assured Bertillon of continued
acceptance in France as well as interest from other countries.
Meanwhile, in England, Sir Francis Galton was working on a book on the use
of fingerprints for identification. Galton, a widely traveled scientist, recognized
the limitations of the Bertillon method. He became familiar with fingerprints
through his travels and in correspondence with luminaries of his day, such as
Darwin and Henry. A milestone for the field of fingerprinting was reached when
Galton published his definitive work, Fingerprinting, in 1892. Today, many refer
to Galton as the “Father of fingerprints” for his contributions to the field. His
fingerprinting work is so highly regarded that the International Association for
Identification, the world’s leading identification association, includes a copy of
Galton’s right index finger as an element of the association’s official logo.
With the acceptance of fingerprints as a unique identifier, the number of
uses for these images began to increase. It was not a difficult task to compare
the images on an inked fingerprint card with a person who claimed the name
on the card. This is another example of the one-to-one search or subject authen-
tication referenced previously.
As the number of fingerprint records grew, so did the filing structure. Many
of those fingerprinted were illiterate, so the spelling of their names was left to
the interpretation of government officials, who might not always spell a name
the same. A similar situation was faced by the millions of illiterate immigrants
who came to the United States during this time period. A classification system
to be able to file the records by the information contained in the finger images,
not just by the name, was badly needed.
Meanwhile, Sir Edward Henry, who was using the Bertillon method while
posted in India, added the left thumb print to each anthropometric card. Henry
soon realized that the thumb impression provided a more efficient method for