Why Did Police Start Fingerprinting - Uncover The Fascinating Story Behind It

The path to its widespread adoption was not without its twists and turns.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• April 10, 2024

In the field of crime detection and criminal justice, the importance of accurate identification cannot be overstated. For decades, law enforcement agencies around the world have relied on various methods to differentiate individuals involved in criminal activities.

One such method, which has become a cornerstone of forensic science, is fingerprinting. While it is now a ubiquitous tool in crime scene investigations, its origins are rooted in a fascinating tale that sheds light on the evolution of criminal identification.

The introduction of criminal fingerprinting to the United States during the early 1900s marked a significant milestone in forensic history. However, the path to its widespread adoption was not without its twists and turns.

One particularly intriguing episode that often surfaces in discussions about the origins of fingerprinting involves two inmates at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas – Will West and William West.

The story goes that in 1903, Will West found himself incarcerated at Leavenworth. When asked if he had previously been imprisoned at the facility, he adamantly denied it. Nevertheless, in adherence to the Bertillon system – the prevailing method of criminal identification at the time – a records clerk named M.W. McClaughry proceeded to take Will's physical measurements.

To the astonishment of the authorities, Will's measurements matched those of William West, a different inmate who had been serving a life sentence for murder and had been incarcerated two years prior. Adding to the confusion, the photographs of the two men appeared strikingly similar.

Amidst the baffling situation, the decision was made to resort to fingerprinting as a means of differentiation. The impressions of Will and William's fingerprints were meticulously examined, revealing a crucial distinction – their prints were not identical.

This revelation not only resolved the case of mistaken identity but also underscored the potential of fingerprinting as a reliable method of criminal identification. The story surrounding the West and its role in the adoption of fingerprinting is undeniably captivating.

However, some experts cast doubt on the veracity of the story. Notably, M.W. McClaughry, the central figure in the incident, did not mention the Wests in any of his writings about fingerprinting and the Bertillon system. Skeptics argue that the absence of documented evidence raises questions about the authenticity of the tale.

In 1903, Will West entered the penitentiary. Despite claiming no prior imprisonment, his measurements were taken for criminal identification using the Bertillon system.

Will's measurements matched William West's, a previous inmate serving a life sentence for murder, creating confusion due to their identical appearance in the photo.

Will and William's fingerprints were compared, confirming Will's honesty as their prints differed. Their contribution to fingerprinting's introduction is hailed as significant.

Some experts doubt the claims, noting that M.W. McClaughry, who was directly involved, didn't mention the Wests in his articles about fingerprinting and the Bertillon system.

Even though some people doubt the exact details of the Wests' part in this story, it reminds us how criminal identification has changed over time. Fingerprinting was a big deal when it was first introduced because it made it much easier for police to figure out who was involved in crimes.

Over the years, it proved itself in many investigations, showing that it works. Nowadays, fingerprinting is still super important for police all around the world. It helps them solve crimes and catch the people responsible.

The tale of Will and William West shows us how new ideas can change the way we catch criminals. Even if the story isn't entirely true, it still shows how fingerprinting has made a big impact. And today technology can help us make things right and bring fairness to the system.

Damjan