1902
The first fingerprint evidence involving a scene of crime mark in England was heard at the Central Criminal Court on 13th September 1902. Harry Jackson pleaded not guilty to a charge of burglary of a house at Denmark Hill, South London and the stealing of billiard balls on 27th June 1902. D/Sgt Collins examined the scene and an imprint of Jackson’s left thumb was found in dirt on a newly painted window sill.
After consultation between Sir Edward Henry, the Director of Public Prosecution, D/I Stedman and D/S Collins, a famous barrister at the time, Richard Muir, was appointed to conduct the prosecution case. Collins explained the system of fingerprint identification to the court and produced both photographic enlargements and tracings of both the mark and the print. Jackson was found guilty and sentences to seven years penal servitude.