The Science of Fingerprints - Part 26
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Part 26

................................. Reference.........................

CURRENT PRINT NAME

+--------------+--------------+---------------+-------------+-------------+ |1. Right Thumb|2. Right Index|3. Right Middle|4. Right Ring|5. Right | | | | | |Little | | | | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+--------------+---------------+-------------+-------------+ |6. Left Thumb |7. Left Index |8. Left Middle |9. Left Ring |10. Left | | | | | |Little | | | | | | | | | | | | | +--------------+--------------+---------------+-------------+-------------+ TYPE OF CURRENT PRINT |Number and Initials of Criminal | Non-Criminal |Employee Charging Out: | | Date..................|Date...................|............................

16-58188-1 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

Figure 416 shows the reverse side of the 3- by 5-inch index card.

These are filed alphabetically in special cabinets. An index card also should be made for every alias which an individual has used. Figure 417 shows an electrically operated file cabinet in which the index cards are filed. It is suggested that the alias cards be of a different color from the one bearing the correct name, known as the "Master." Each alias card also should have typed on it the correct name of the individual, for purposes of reference and cross-checking.

For convenience and accuracy these files, as in the fingerprint files, should also have suitable guide cards.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 415]

| | ______________________________________________|______________|____________ LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME | F.P. CLa.s.s | IDENT NO.

| | | ______________________________________________|______|_______|____________ ALIAS RACE s.e.x AGE

__________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS | | | | | | | | | | __________|__________|________|________|______________|___________________ HEIGHT WEIGHT EYES HAIR COMPLEXION OCCUPATION | ______________________________________|___________________________________ DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH SCARS AND MARKS __________________________________________________________________________ (SEE OTHER SIDE FOR ARREST RECORD)

[Ill.u.s.tration: 416]

DATE | NUMBER | CHARGE | DISPOSITION ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ ______|__________|__________|_________________ | | |

It is advisable to make use of charge-out cards when original index cards are drawn from the files. Figure 418 shows a charge-out card.

To supplant the 3- by 5-inch index cards mentioned above, many law enforcement agencies have found it desirable to use a separate sheet, sometimes referred to as a "History Sheet" or "Information Sheet,"

containing the complete case history of the subject involved. These separate sheets can be filed by fingerprint number sequence and contain not only the data such as the known aliases, the fingerprint cla.s.sification formula, the arrest number, and other essential items which are set out on the 3- by 5-inch cards as heretofore described, but also contain a concise summary of the subject's arrest history, particularly with reference to his criminal activities in the particular city. They may also contain a summarized case history with respect to each arrest or commitment, including such items as the date and place of arrest, complete home address, relatives, the essential facts concerning the prosecution of charges, and the ultimate disposition.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 417]

_Jacket folder file_

When an identification bureau receives prints of individuals on whom it already has prints, it is not practical to keep more than one set of prints per person in what may be called the active fingerprint file. In these instances the better print should be designated a "Master" print by having the word "Master" stamped thereon. It should be given a number, to be known as the master number, which number should also be placed on all other sets of prints which may be found to be identical with the "Master" print. The "Master" print is placed in the active files. The extra prints are placed together in a heavy folder with their master number stamped thereon. This jacket folder is then filed in a separate cabinet. Also, if copies of all information regarding an individual, photographs, and FBI transcript of record are kept in this folder, his complete record will always be a.s.sembled in an easily accessible unit. The "Master" number should also be placed on the index card and all the alias cards of the individual. Also, each new alias and arrest number should be placed on the original index card. The additional records are kept in folders which are arranged in numerical order, beginning with Nos. 1, 2, 3, and so on.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 418]

1-154 |-----------| | GPO: 1962 OF--663475 | | | |-----------| |------------------------- | | | POSTING |-----------| |------------------------- | | | | | |DOB -------------------------|-----------|-----------|------------------------- | a.s.sEMBLY | MISC. | DESCRIPTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

NAME_____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

NAME______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________ (ARREST NUMBER) (DEPARTMENT) (CITY) (STATE)

A further suggestion in connection with the maintenance of this folder file, besides the use of a separate "Master" numbering system, is the use of the arrest fingerprint number. As indicated previously, each person arrested and fingerprinted is a.s.signed a number. This number appears on the fingerprint card, name-index card, and photograph. The practice of handling every new arrest fingerprint card in the bureau should include searching the fingerprint card in the fingerprint file to ascertain if the subject has a previous record. If the subject does not have a previous record, a new number should be a.s.signed. In this connection it is noted that only one copy of the fingerprint card should be maintained in the file by fingerprint cla.s.sification. To indicate the new arrest on the old index card, the date of the new arrest can be shown. Whether the bureau follows the "Master" numbering system or the "previous arrest" numbering system should make very little difference in the ultimate purpose. All extra copies of fingerprint cards, complete record sheets, photographs, and all information pertaining to the individual are filed away in the folder file. This complete record is readily accessible at all times. It will now be found that the bureau has a complete record of each individual who has an arrest record on file, with provision made for accurate cross-referencing and checking between names and fingerprints.

_Dispositions_

It is important to the bureau to have complete information concerning the ultimate disposition on each arrest fingerprint card. If the disposition of a charge is known at the time the person is fingerprinted, this fact should be indicated in the s.p.a.ce provided on the fingerprint card. For example, in the case of an individual who is arrested, fingerprinted, and turned over to the county jail, this disposition can be indicated on the fingerprint card which is forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The fingerprint card should not be held by the bureau pending final disposition of the charge.

In those cases where the disposition is pending prosecutive or court action, a separate 3- by 5-inch disposition file can be maintained. On these cards information concerning the name, fingerprint number, race, s.e.x, charge, name of the arresting officers, and the fingerprint cla.s.sification should appear. These cards are filed in a pending-disposition file. The 3- by 5-inch disposition cards are made at the time the fingerprints of the person are taken. When the final disposition is obtained it should be noted on the card. In those cases where there is only one fingerprint card in the bureau, the disposition can be noted on the name-index card or the reverse side of the bureau's fingerprint card. In those cases where there is a jacket-folder file for the individual this disposition card can then be placed in the folder.

"Disposition Sheets" (No. R-84) can be obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for forwarding this information so that the files of the FBI will have complete information concerning the arrests. At the time the final disposition is obtained, these disposition sheets can be completed and forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

_Death notices_

When persons whose fingerprints are on file are reported as deceased, the prints should be taken from the active file and a.s.sembled with any other prints of the person concerned. These should be plainly marked "Dead" and filed in a separate cabinet or section. All the index cards on this individual should also be marked "Dead" and filed in a separate section. These should be retained for possible future reference.

In this connection, "Death Notice" forms (No. R-88) can be obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation so that information concerning these deaths can be properly noted in its fingerprint file.

_Record of additional arrest_

It is not necessary for a bureau to send a regular fingerprint card to the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on individuals who have been arrested repeatedly and whose previous records are known to the local law enforcement agency. In such cases the "Record of Additional Arrest" form should be used.

Complete information must be given on this form. It is imperative that the FBI number and the finger impressions be placed on this form. The Identification Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation will send no answer upon receipt of this form.

The form will be placed in the FBI number folder on the individual and later when a regular fingerprint card is received the arrest information from all the forms will be compiled and included on the subject's record as "supported by fingerprints."

"Record of Additional Arrest" forms (No. 1-1) can be obtained from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

_Wanted notices_

All wanted notices containing fingerprints, including the wanted notices inserted in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, should be filed in the fingerprint file by cla.s.sification formula, and the names appearing on these wanted notices should be indexed and placed in the name files. Concerning the small wanted notices inserted in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, a suggested procedure would be to paste each individual notice on a blank 8- by 8-inch white card. The wanted notices are filed by the fingerprint cla.s.sification and the names indexed and placed in the name file. When an apprehension notice is received concerning the wanted notice, a proper notation should be made on the name card and the wanted notice in the fingerprint file.

If these canceled wanted notices endanger the efficiency of the file, it is suggested that the name-index card and the fingerprint-wanted notice be destroyed. Should the bureau adopt this practice it is suggested that the 8- by 8-inch cards be used again for other wanted notices. In this manner it would be possible to use the blank card for eight of these notices.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will make available to law enforcement agencies a special "Wanted Notice" form (No. 1-12) in order that they can place wanted notices against the fingerprints in the files of the FBI.

_Photographs_

Arrangements should be made to procure a camera for taking photographs of the persons fingerprinted. This is known as a "mugging" camera and various types are on the market. It is believed that the photographs should include a front and side view of the person. In most instances a scale for indicating height can be made a part of the picture even though only the upper portion of the individual photographed is taken.

Of course, if the scale is used, the person photographed should be standing even though only the upper portion of the body appears in the photograph. The necessary lights should be provided for obtaining photographs. A standard set of scales should be obtained in order that the correct weight can be ascertained.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 419]

The negatives and photographs can be filed by fingerprint number in a separate file. In those cases where the individual has more than one arrest all the photographs can be placed in the jacket-folder number file. The negatives, in these instances, can remain in the photograph file.

_Latent fingerprints_

To adequately develop the latent prints at crime scenes, it is necessary that the proper equipment be provided. This equipment includes latent fingerprint powders, brushes, lifting tape, fingerprint camera, searchlight, and scissors. All of this equipment can be obtained from commercial fingerprint supply companies. Figure 419 shows some of the equipment used by the FBI. The techniques of developing latent fingerprints and their uses are more fully explained in the following chapters.

It is believed that by following the basic ideas outlined, the officials of law enforcement agencies can be a.s.sured of best results in establishing and maintaining a small identification bureau. For further information, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will furnish to duly const.i.tuted law enforcement officials any additional data which may be of material a.s.sistance in the maintenance of such a bureau.