1880 DR HENRY FAULDS
During the During the 1970’2, DR. Henry Faulds, from Beith, North Ayrshire, was the Surgeon-Superintendent of Tsukiji Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, and took up the study of ‘skin-furrows’ after noticing finger marks on specimens of ‘prehistoric’ pottery.
A learned and industrious man, Dr Faulds not only recognised the importance of fingerprints as a means of identification, but devised a method of classification as well.
In 1880 Faulds, forwarded an explanation of his classification system and a sample of the forms he had designed for recording inked impressions to Sir Charles Darwin. Darwin, in advanced age and ill health, informed Dr Faulds that he could be of no assistance to him, but promised to pass the materials to his cousin, Francis Galton.
In October of that year Dr Faulds had an article published in the Scientific Journal, ‘Nature” called ‘On the Skin – Furrows of The Hand’. He discussed fingerprints as a means of personal identification, and the use of printers ink as a method for obtaining such fingerprints. He is also credited with the first fingerprint identification of a greasy fingerprint left on an alcohol bottle.
Click here to read a copy of Dr Fauld’s article.