FINGER PRINTS.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12501, 30 March 1909, Page 1

FINGER PRINTS.

The finger-print method of identification has becomo a terror both to old offenders and to burglars who omit to wear gloves.. But, if it often brings a guilty man- into trouble, it has fewer opportunities to {ret an'innocent man out of it. A striking case of this kind.however has. just occurred at Gloucester, where a prisoner, sentenced to three months' hard labour for assault has been released by order of the Home Secretary after ten days. His finger-prints triumphantly established his alibi, he having been in Northampton"- prison undor another name at the time of the. Gloucester assault. Tho ihdentity of the unchangeable finger-prints of course, overrides tho discrepancy of the alias. The result is satisfactory in this particular case, but do°s not convey much general reassurance, si"vco most of us might not have the luck to be in pris- . on at the time when a convincing alibi was necessary, and finger-prints are not commonly taken elsewhere at present. The time may come when there will be public rogistry offices at which the prudent can sign oft with their fingers every day; but it will not be just yot.