Civilization / Society, Economy & Law

Forensics & Fingerprints

Galton's study of fingerprints (1892) and Henry's classification make physical traces a standard of proof.

Francis Galton showed that fingerprints are individual and permanent, and Edward Henry's system was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901. Edmond Locard opened one of the first police laboratories in 1910, and DNA profiling (1984) later extended the field.