-
1000 BCE
Fingerprints are used
All throughout history, fingerprints were used on official documents. They were used like a signature in places like ancient Babylon, China, Nova Scotia, and Persia. -
Fingerprint patterns are noticed
A professor at the University of Bologna, in Italy, named Marcello Malpighi noticed that fingerprints had common patterns. Loops, whorls, arches, and ridges seemed to make up most fingerprints. -
First official use of fingerprinting
Sir Francis Galton, cousin of Charles Darwin, discovered and studied fingerprints to seek out hereditary traits. -
Fingerprints used to solve a crime
Using a bloody fingerprint left on a door-frame, police in Argentina were able to identify a murderer. This was the first criminal found guilty using fingerprints. -
England jumps on board
After Argentina and India began using fingerprinting, Scotland Yard began questioning whether it would be a useful system for England. The Scotland Yard Fingerprint Bureau was founded. -
America begins using fingerprints
The New York Police Department, and others across the state, began using fingerprints as a way to identify people. Over the next few years, the practice slowly spread westward. -
American military branches
Over time, the Army, Navy, and Marines began using fingerprinting. -
Computerized fingerprinting
With the advancement in technology, programs began using Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems. The AFIS's scanned and stored fingerprints electronically. -
Fingerprinting children
Law enforcement groups saw the need to fingerprint children as a means of identifying kids who became lost, or went missing. Christ Migliaro founded Fingerprint America for this purpose. -
FBI moves to electronic fingerprinting
Through a long process, the FBI began transferring their fingerprint file to an electronic system.