Q&A: Why didn’t they dust for prints?

While we’re still on fingerprint-related topic, I’d like to touch on the question raised by the following person:

I had my house broken into one day while I was out with my wife. I discovered that some of our stuff were missing, but fortunately our valuables were well hidden away. We called the police immediately and waited for them to arrive. A pair of officers came. One of them looked around, presumably to assess the crime scene, while the other took down our statements. I noticed that the officer that was looking around did not dust for any fingerprints. They left after taking down our report.

Is this normal? How come it was nothing like I see on CSI?

To answer your question, hate to disappoint you, but yes. Many people assumed that what they see on TV is exactly as it is in real life - officers would come and dust for prints at every single crime scene. Unfortunately, in the real world, we need to consider the practicality of the situation. There’s the issue of lack of manpower, training, time, budget and priorities.

In spite all their best efforts, not every law enforcement agency in any country is able to afford either time or equipment to perform these tasks. Partly because they are either understaffed or some of their officers lack the required training for crime-scene work. Also, assess the level of seriousness of the crime (not to belittle the victim) - if there are no serious injuries or if the amount that was stolen was below minimum, then it does not require a full processing… unless there’s a homicide involved. With regards to this method as requiring a certain luxury of manpower, certainly its effective usage is reserved for cases which are more than trivial.

So to reiterate, it all boils down to common sense and practicality when utilizing personnels and equipments for the application of these methods. Furthermore, the costs of which must be considered when dealing with minor cases as processing a crime scene can be taxing and time consuming. However that doesn’t mean you should be discouraged from reporting a break-in to your friendly neighbourhood lawmen, you must. There will be the day when the perp responsible will get apprehended at another scene of crime, and your report could help if it’s related.

For more:

• FAQ - Why didn’t they dust for prints? (this is a good read with further explanations)
  
• Someone else had the same burning question too!

A history of fingerprints

The study of fingerprints is one of the most salient aspects of criminal investigations and forensic detections. This is because fingerprint identification is far too unique, its success rate outperforms even DNA identifications. Many people would associate fingerprints searches with the famous fictional detective (and yes, forensic scientist) Sherlock Holmes skulking around in his deerstalker’s hat, whipping out a large magnifying glass on the hunt for fingerprints that would provide him the vital clue to solve the case (The Norwood Builder was Sherlock Holmes’ case that involved fingerprints for the first time). Most avid modern TV viewers today would often recall many episodes of CSI, involving the characters discussing about their fingerprint findings at crime scenes and searching for a possible match on the AFIS system in their big shiny lab.

But what many people don’t realize is that the importance of the fingerprints dated way back to the ancient times. There were even subtle references alluding to fingerprints in the Quran and the Bible. The ancient Chinese were among the earliest people to use fingerprints to establish identities in official records. Marcello Malphigi, an anatomy professor in 1886 Bologna, made notes and described the distinctive patterns that he had noticed on the fingers, formed by ridges. Later, a physiology professor, Johannes Purkinje, would write a thesis in 1823 about the nine principle types of fingerprint patterns he had studied, vaguely identifying a classification method. This particular research went by unnoticed by his peers.

It wasn’t until 1877 in India when a British administrative officer, Sir William Herschel, would inadvertently discover the practical application of fingerprints. He was looking for a way to prevent impersonations and forgeries, and discovered that the fingerprints greatly helped in the identification of a person. This was done by rubbing the palm of the hand with ink and stamping the print onto paper. These prints then were used as means of identifications to halt forgeries. After some careful experimentations and observations, Sir Herschel realized that no two prints are the same. Each person’s prints are distinguishable with high persistence and cannot be altered at all, not even by injuries or aging. His discovery became a major stepping stone for fingerprint applications in crime science.

Soon more scientific works began to be published on the fingerprint studies. Among the pioneers who would greatly contribute to the world of forensic science was Francis Galton, who was responsible for introducing the Galton’s Details - noted for its importance in calculating the distinctiveness of fingerprint details, and also for sketching out the basics for fingerprint classification system in 1892. This work would soon be followed up and evolved by Juan Vucetich, which soon lead to the establishment of the world’s first fingerprint bureau in Argentina. Not long after this bureau was set up, the very first criminal conviction through the means of fingerprint evidence was achieved in a murder trial. This bureau is still operating today in South America.

Sir Edward Henry published a critical written work “Classifications and Uses of Fingerprints” in 1900. His research further proved its importance when Sir Henry helped solved a murder crime in India, by examining the blood-stained fingerprints found at the scene of the crime based on the classification system he had devised in his research work. Sir Henry’s system was the very basis for the establishment of Scotland Yard’s own fingerprint bureau. Henry’s classification system was soon utilized in a criminal prosecution in 1902. Based on the evidence, the defendant was found guilty for burglary.

Henry’s classification rose to prominence again in 1905 when it was used for the first time in a major murder trial in England. The evidence was, of course, damning. Since then, Henry’s classification was widely used by the law enforcement agencies nationwide.

The application of fingerprint science continues to evolve throughout the years. The study of fingerprints is known as dactyloscopy. Many more inventions were made to enhance the forensic aspect of fingerprints. Aluminium powder was introduced as means to process fingerprints at a crime scene. With the evolution of technology, today the Federal Bureau of Investigations and many other law agencies around the world have been relying on AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) for a speedy fingerprint search database, replacing the old card search system, which was painstakingly slow and would take days.

Fingerprints will always remain as the fundamental of forensic science and crime-solving (which is why the fingerprint image above is prominently displayed as an emblem for this site). Not even the ever-growing evolution of DNA testing and identification could agitate the fingerprint’s prominence. And in its own extraordinary manner, fingerprints’ importance in crime science will never fade, very much like how an individual would attempt to remove his prints, only to have them persistently growing back again. Their presence is tenacious and eternally unique. As mentioned previously, a pair of twins may share the same genetic code, but not fingerprint patterns.

Useful related links (where some of the information above were obtained from for references):

• History of fingerprints (with images)
• The history of fingerprinting
• History on fingerprints
• Early fingerprint pioneers

*The image used to illustrate this post was obtained here.

Person Francis Galton

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Man-hunt for KLIA Heist

An armed robbery took place at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Wednesday 9th. Four gunmen ambushed two moneychangers and their two armed guards in a three-minute heist - opened fire and grabbed a cool RM3.5mil (USD1.05mil) in a bag, injuring five bystanders in the process. They escaped in a getaway vehicle waiting outside, driven by two other men.

In a recent news update, a manhunt for the robbers is on. The local police have reported that they have put together photofits of three of the gunmen. They are currently in the process of establishing whether or not it was an inside job.

Related reads:

• Five injured in shootout at Malaysian airport
• Malaysia launches hunt after $1 mln airport heist
• Cops have photofits of 3 KLIA robbers

Never fool-proof

For those who fear that TV shows such as CSI and its sister series are helping criminals to be smarter in cleaning up their tracks, should have a read here.

Painstaking forensics detection on woman’s head

April 2nd, two little girls who were playing near South Street in Arbroath, Angus in Scotland, made a gruesome discovery of a severed female head tied in a plastic bag on the beach.

It is believed the woman was between mid 20 and mid 30-years old with brown eyes, and shoulder-length brown hair, a pale complexion and light freckling on the cheeks and nose and a distinctive scar on her forehead.

Tayside Police are painstakingly organizing forensics investigations in the area, and have been searching scrupulously through the database in an effort to identify the mystery woman. They are appealing the public for information.

*Updated: A description of the woman, now identified as 35-year old Lithuanian migrant worker Jolanta Bledaite, has been issued by police.

More on Sky News and BBC News.

Malaysian Police Get Image Upgrade

Malaysian police are sporting a new operational uniform that will incorporate gears such as communications devices, handcuffs, baton and pepper spray when on operations and on crime prevention rounds.

New look. Image obtained from The Star Online.

Along with this new look, they’re also kicking in a new slogan on their shield - Integriti Amalan Kita (Integrity is our practice), replacing the old Saya Anti Rasuah (I am anti-graft).

Shiny. Image obtained from The Star Online.

And of course, a new motto is a must to accompany the new image: Firm, Fair and Courteous to take over the old Friendly, Swift and Correct.

“I hope the introduction of the new motto and slogan will bring about a change of mindset among officers and personnel in the force,” said Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

More here.

Commentary: Egocentric criminals

The Star today published a very interesting article about thieves that kept record of crimes they committed.

They are thieves who kept tabs on crime – the ones they themselves committed. They would laminate clippings of their crimes reported in the newspapers…

…Laminated news clippings of their crimes were among the items seized from the hideouts.

Sounds like something out of TV or a movie. Is this strange? No. Unusual? Not at all. Crime is about habit. Habit is part of behavioural science. Some criminals enjoy following news of their exploits through prints and television, and these offenders are usually categorized as “organized” offenders. There have been reports that a number of these offenders daringly showed up to be part of the crowd when the news crew pans in for effect for the evening news. A lot of criminals reportedly have exhibited egocentric and narcissistic tendencies.

Well, they must be if they’re conceited enough to believe that they cannot get caught.

E.g: Ted Bundy was an egomaniac by the way. At least he fried.

Commentary: Malaysia’s own forensic DNA databank will be a reality

Interesting news today, pertaining to Malaysia’s development on the forensics aspect of DNA.

According to NST Online today (Forensic DNA databank soon), Malaysia will soon have its own national databank which will hold the DNA profiles of thousands of criminals and suspects. This is good news indeed for the citizens.

Bad news for the career-criminals.

Since the discovery of the DNA structure in the early 1950s by Watson and Crick, DNA has been the never-ending subject of fascination, especially in the fields of medicine, forensics and crime-fiction. In forensics, DNA is the next best discovery since fingerprints. I say next best discovery, only because fingerprints in comparison are considerably far more individualistic than DNA. A pair of twins may share the same DNA, but they do not share the same fingerprints. Unlike fingerprints, however, DNA evidence is more robust and generally a lot more resistant. You can still obtain a DNA sample from a 5000 year-old bone for analysis, for example. And it doesn’t matter how minute the sample evidence is - you can amplify a DNA profile through PCR (polymerase-chain reaction) technique.

Nevertheless, the subject on DNA databank will definitely bring about all sorts of reactions - ranging from elation to paranoia. Paranoia because in today’s day and age, what with the growing advances of technology in every field, people feel that their own personal securities and privacies are constantly at risk. The number of identity theft is increasing every year. So what of DNA information, then? It’s also quite possible to fake a DNA evidence. It’s been done before (re: the case of Dr. John Schneeberger).

Please note that the good Dr. Schneeberger, however ingenious the plan he cooked up sounded like, still ended up in the dock with a judge reading out the guilty verdict to him.

Maybe a DNA evidence can be planted, but no matter what, your DNA code cannot be manipulated. Dr. Schneeberger obviously was not paying attention during his Bio-chemistry classes back in med-school. Forensic investigation techniques are meant to sniff out the lies and the planted evidence. It also boils down to the integrity of the investigator himself.

On the positive outlook, a forensic DNA databank will be a good investment for Malaysia. The profiles will generate a link that may be overlooked in two separate cases at two separate occasions. The existence of a national databank will be very effective in solving crimes, especially in sex-related crimes. The United Kingdom has the biggest DNA databank in the world, and since its introduction in the 1980s, thousands of crimes have been solved through DNA matches against the existing profiles in their databank, and a large number of them are homicide and rape cases. The alarming increase in sexual-assaults locally in recent years is enough proof that the need for a national DNA databank is long-overdue. Conviction with a DNA evidence is damning. Evidence does not lie, especially biological ones.

Just as long as its integrity remains intact, through and through.

UPDATE: Bizzarre behaviour dampening the case

First there were the impersonators.

Two men posing as cops from Bukit Aman paid Mohd. Nashar’s residence a visit, demanding for a “better” photograph of their missing daughter, 5-year old Sharlinie, last night. They claimed that they knew where Sharlinie’s whereabouts, but refused to divulge anymore information. Suspecting something was amiss, the neighbours confronted the pair. One broke free, fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. The other was apprehended by the neighbourhood and later surrendered to the police. According to the latest report, the impostor is a despatch clerk in his early-thirties with a history of mental illness. He has been sent for a psychiatric evaluation at the University Malaya Medical Centre.

Meanwhile, the police are puzzled by the circulation of a photograph of a doll, similar to the one they found in Kg. Medan a few nights ago, in Ipoh. The photograph, apparently, is not a reshot of the released photograph for the press. The significance of the photo is still under investigations. (The Star Online, “Doll photo puzzles cops”)

PDRM have consulted with the INTERPOL to widen the search beyond borders, though they still believe that Sharlinie is still in the country. At the same time, the police will be digging into past missing child cases under the age of 12 to search for any clues, informations or links to establish any connections with the currently missing Sharlinie.

UPDATE: No sign of Sharlinie, arrest of an info-abuser, the search goes on

The Star reported that one foreign woman is held for sending out false SMSes to Mohd. Nashar and wife since day one. She is also being investigated under kidnapping charge (Maid held over false SMSes).

The Star also reported that there are proposals for the installation of CCTVs in school compounds (Schools may install CCTVs for security).

The four abducted victims were brought to the abandoned building where Nurin was believed held captive on Sunday. Unfortunately, none of them could make a positive confirmation.

Meanwhile, NST reported that a Rukun Tetangga unit will be set up next week on the street where Mohd. Nashar’s family lives. While there are 23 functional RT units in Kg. Medan, none patrols that particular street until now (Rukun Tetangga to be formed).