Have you heard of the mug shot? How about “Angutha chhap’?
Now Angutha chhap” translates to “thumb impression” or “illiterate person” in English. In Hindi, it literally means “thumb print,” but it’s often used metaphorically to refer to someone who cannot read or write, highlighting their lack of formal education. But did you know the close link between an actual Angutha chhap and solving crime!
Well, it is scary that most everyone has heard about mug shot though!
The creator of mug shot was a policeman who is actually thought to be the chief proponent of use of Angutha chhap or Fingerprint for identification of crime!
But he was actually not a big fan of fingerprint! He had devised lots of other methods used even now for crime assessment and criminal identification!
In recent years biometric authentication has entered the mainstream; facial recognition on smartphones, technology to speed up the experience at the airport, fingerprint access to online banking apps, or even biometric payment cards!
While it may seem like a relatively new concept, biometrics has actually been around for centuries and ancient times when fingerprints and handprints were used as signatures and seals.
The use of biometrics as a tool for identification and security purposes began in the late 19th century with the work of Alphonse Bertillon. His system was widely used by police departments around the world and was considered the gold standard for identification! Later technology gave rise to fingerprint, facial recognition and iris scans!
Alphonse Bertillon, was a French police officer and biometrics researcher who significantly contributed to forensic science by developing the first scientific system for identifying criminals based on physical measurements. He is credited with inventing the “Bertillon System,” which combined detailed measurements and photographs of suspects to create standardized identification cards. While Bertillon initially opposed the use of fingerprints, his efforts to create a reliable identification system indirectly led to their development!
Bertillon developed the Bertillon System, which involved taking a series of measurements of different body parts and recording them on standardized cards, along with photographs. This system, also known as “anthropometry,” was the first official standardized method for organizing criminal records.
He is also credited with the now popular Mugshots and CSI Photography!
Although Bertillon initially opposed the use of fingerprints, his efforts to create a reliable identification system indirectly led to the development of fingerprint identification as a more accurate and widely accepted method.
The common myth is that that Bertillon was the first to recognize the value of fingerprints. Actually, that achievement must be associated with many others including one gentleman from India!
However, Bertillon was the first in Europe to use fingerprints to solve a crime.
The timeline of using fingerprints for crime and solving them is big but some prime events are like in 1858 when Sir William Herschel, a British magistrate in India, began using fingerprints on contracts to prevent fraud!
Then in 1892 the first successful use of fingerprints lead to solve a crime which occurred in Argentina, where a bloody fingerprint led to the identification of a murderer!
Another Indian contribution was in 1896 when Sir Edward Henry, also working in India, started experimenting with fingerprints and developed a classification system!
Then in 1901, Scotland Yard, in England, adopted the Henry classification system and established a fingerprint bureau! and used this the very next year to solve the first case of a murderer being identified and convicted based on fingerprint evidence!
So next time you call someone Angutha chhap, do make sure that he or she does not know the history of fingerprint and crime!
History and historical reminds me of the hysterical and amazing character roles by Nedumudi Venu!
Now use your fingerprint to unlock your phone and put your alarm and sleep!
Shubh ratri!
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