The Origin of Finger-Printing

"The Origin of Finger-Printing" by William James Herschel is a recount of the groundbreaking journey of fingerprinting as a method for personal identification during the late 19th century. Herschel shares his firsthand experiences as a British official in India, detailing his initial experiments with fingerprints to combat forgery and fraud, which started when he used a local contractor's fingerprints instead of a signature. The book describes how this simple act led to the realization that fingerprints were unique and permanent, and it led to Herschel championing the use of fingerprinting as a trustworthy way to confirm someone's identity, thus transforming legal and administrative practices. The historical account also includes interactions with key individuals who played a role in establishing fingerprinting as a vital tool for law enforcement.