ABSTRACT
The present chapter centres around the origin and application of fingerprint as a major tool of criminal identification. History reveals that fingerprinting began long before its use in criminal proceedings. Ancient Vedic texts reveal the use of palm or fingerprints for astrological purposes. During the medieval period, specifically in the Mughal period, rulers used to sign routine documents for administrative supremacy. For its scientific uniqueness and inimitability, British rulers introduced fingerprint as a scientific measure for criminal identification. In such a milieu, the present chapter aims to chronicle the scientific journey of fingerprint, detection of crime through fingerprint, scientific classification and patterns of fingerprint, and finally the contribution of two Indian pioneers for identifying a mathematical formula for classification of fingerprints. Finally, the chapter divulges that due to persistence and uniqueness, fingerprint gained immense momentum in British India and was declared as the only scientific tool for criminal identification which could be used easily.
