Part 25 (1/2)

In s.h.i.+pping, the hands, fingers, or skins may be placed in preserving solutions such as 5-percent solution of formaldehyde, 5-percent solution of alcohol, or embalming fluid. When hands or fingers are desiccated (dried out), however, it is most desirable that they be placed in airtight containers and sent without any preservative. If gla.s.s containers are used, the specimens should be packed in such a manner as to avoid breakage. Dry ice is a suitable preservative for transmitting such specimens but it should not be used when s.h.i.+pping will take more than 24 hours.

In making up a package using dry ice, the hands or fingers, properly tagged, should be placed in cellophane or paper bags. A material such as sawdust, shavings or similar packing which acts as an insulation is placed around the specimens. A sufficient amount of dry ice is then placed in the package which is then packed tight with more sawdust or shavings. The dry ice should not be in direct contact with the cellophane or paper bags which contain the hands or fingers.

A letter covering transmittal of the specimens should be prepared in duplicate. It should, of course, indicate the sender. The names of any probable victims, s.e.x, race and approximate age of the deceased should, if such information is available, be secured from the coroner or medical examiner and be included in the letter. A copy of the letter should be placed in the package. The original should be mailed separately. Both letter and package should be addressed as follows:

DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WAs.h.i.+NGTON 25, D.C.

Attention: Identification Division--Latent Fingerprint Section.

If the package contains gla.s.s jars it should be marked ”Fragile” to insure careful handling in transit.

The package should be sent railway express, prepaid, or, where there is need for speed, by air express, prepaid. When they are received by the Identification Division, the specimens will undergo various treatments which may necessitate further cutting, sc.r.a.ping, etc. In all cases, regardless of condition, the specimens will be returned after examination.

All of the foregoing matter has dealt with instances in which it has been a.s.sumed that all ten fingers are available, or a sufficient number of the fingers of a deceased have been secured and impressions suitable for searching through the fingerprint files of the FBI have been recorded.

There will be cases, however, where only a few, or possibly only one, of the fingers has sufficient ridge detail for identification. In such instances a search through the FBI files would be impractical. This, however, does not preclude the possibility of making a positive identification by the use of the one finger. Though a search through the file is not possible, a comparison can be made with the fingerprints of individuals who it is thought the deceased may be or, in some instances, with the fingerprints of missing persons.

In this connection, where one or only a few fingers are forwarded to the FBI, the names of all possible victims should also be submitted.

The fingerprints of those individuals, if available, will then be taken out of file and compared with the ridge detail on the finger of the deceased in an endeavor to establish a positive identification.

Many such identifications have been effected.

In conjunction with the usual services afforded authorized law enforcement agencies, the services of an FBI fingerprint expert are also made available in those cases where expert testimony is necessary to establish the ident.i.ty of the deceased through fingerprints, providing, of course, such an identification has been made.

Extreme caution should be exercised in the case of the chemicals previously mentioned in this article. Acetone, alcohol, benzine, and xylene are highly inflammable and should neither be used near open flames nor while the operator is smoking. The fumes given off by acetone, benzine, xylene, and formaldehyde are toxic and may cause sickness. They should be used in a well-ventilated room only. It is also suggested that the fingerprint examiner wear rubber gloves when using acetone, benzine, xylene, formaldehyde, pota.s.sium hydroxide, or sodium hydroxide. These chemicals will cause the skin to peel. Strong concentrations may cause burns.

In conclusion, it is pointed out that the procedures and techniques which have been described are those currently being used by the fingerprint experts of the FBI. These methods are fast and the results have been most satisfactory. This Bureau does not claim, however, that satisfactory results cannot be achieved through variations thereof or different methods.

CHAPTER XI

_Establishment of a Local Fingerprint Identification Bureau_

For the information and a.s.sistance of officials who desire to establish a local fingerprint identification bureau, the following suggestions are being made to indicate the princ.i.p.al materials necessary to equip such a bureau:

_Fingerprinting equipment_

For the purpose of taking fingerprints there should be a stand with a clamp for holding the fingerprint cards steady. This latter item is necessary to prevent smudging the prints. A tube of printer's ink is used. The ink is applied by a roller to a gla.s.s plate upon which the fingers are inked before being rolled on the cards. The complete equipment for the above process may be secured from a number of commercial sources or it can be made. Figure 408 depicts an inking stand.

_Fingerprint files_

It is suggested that the fingerprint card be white, light cardboard, 8 by 8 inches, slightly glazed. This size is convenient, as it allows all the s.p.a.ce necessary for recording the cla.s.sification of the prints and general descriptive information concerning the individual. In the event the new bureau desires to contribute copies of its fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the latter will, upon request, gladly furnish fingerprint cards for the purpose together with envelopes and instructions on how to take fingerprints. It is suggested that the new bureau design its cards similar to those furnished by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as these have been designed after special study and have been found to be satisfactory over a long period of time. Figures 409 and 410 show the fingerprint side and reverse side of the criminal fingerprint card used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In cla.s.sifying and comparing fingerprints it is necessary to use a magnifying or fingerprint gla.s.s. Such instruments can be obtained from various commercial sources. Figure 411 shows the type of magnifying gla.s.s used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 408. Diagram of a FINGERPRINT INKING STAND]

The fingerprint cards should be filed according to fingerprint cla.s.sification sequence in cabinets, preferably steel. It is further suggested that the cabinets be three drawers high, with each drawer divided into three rows for filing. Such cabinets or similar ones can be obtained from various commercial sources. Figure 412 shows the type of fingerprint cabinet used in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In order to facilitate the location of cla.s.sification groups, it is suggested that guide cards be placed in the rows of fingerprint cards at frequent intervals. These guide cards should be slightly longer and heavier than the fingerprint cards and should have small tabs on the top to hold cla.s.sification identifying symbols. Figure 413 shows the type of guide card used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 409]