Page 109 - VERITAS Vol.2 Issue 2

as in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

The scientific study of fingerprint and palm patterning is referred to

as “dermatoglyphics,” a term that was invented in the 1920s.

There have been many classifications that were put forward by sci-

entists on fingerprints. But in this case study it was Juan Vucetich
and his famous Argentine classification which played a crucial role.

JUAN VUCETICH AND THE ARGENTINE SYSTEM

Juan Vucetich was born in Croatia and immigrated to Argentina in

1882. Within four years, he was working at the Buenos Aires Po-

lice Department, collecting arrest and crime statistics. Within a few
more years, Vucetich became head of the Office of Identification.

Concern regarding the mobility of criminals in and out of Argen-

tina prompted him to search for a more effective method of identi-

fication. His search ended when he read the French journal Revue

Scientifique (1891) detailing Galton’s research into the scientific

use of fingerprints as a means of individualization. After reading

this article, he began his campaign to incorporate the use of finger-
printing into the criminal justice system of Argentina. His campaign

paid off, and that same year (1891), fingerprints replaced Bertil-

lonage at the Office of Identification. This was the first occurrence

of fingerprint individualization officially usurping anthropometry.

Working from Galton’s overly general three-pattern classification

system, he quickly created a classification.

The classification consisted of four single letters, representing the

pattern on the thumb, and four single numbers, representing the

patterns on the remaining fingers. Vucetich’s system started with

the right-hand thumb and ended with the left little finger.

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Veritas Volume: 2, Issue: 2