The Science of Fingerprints: Classification and Uses

By Contributor J Edgar Hoover

A single ridge can determine whether a fingerprint record is correctly identified or lost among thousands. Built around the exacting work of law-enforcement identification specialists, this practical reference turns fingerprint identification into a disciplined system of observation, classification and comparison. Arches, loops and whorls become more than familiar patterns as cores, deltas and ridge characteristics are interpreted for reliable filing and systematic searching. From identification offices to crime scenes, laboratories, morgues and courts, the work follows the operational demands placed upon fingerprint evidence. Its treatment of the extended Henry System shows how records are organised and retrieved, while its guidance addresses the complications posed by scarred, amputated, deformed or otherwise damaged fingers. Inked impressions and latent print examination are presented as connected parts of the same exacting process, where standardisation and accuracy govern every stage. Practical procedure gives the reference its distinctive reach: impressions may need to be developed and lifted, photographed as evidence, or arranged in comparison charts suitable for court testimony. Alongside investigative applications, it recognises the humanitarian uses of identification and the value of establishing effective local fingerprint bureaus. Written for law-enforcement agencies and identification bureaus, it provides a structured account of forensic fingerprint comparison from record handling to evidential presentation. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9378416624
• ISBN13: 9789378416620
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"