<P> Since the late nineteenth century , fingerprint identification methods have been used by police agencies around the world to identify suspected criminals as well as the victims of crime . The basis of the traditional fingerprinting technique is simple . The skin on the palmar surface of the hands and feet forms ridges , so - called papillary ridges , in patterns that are unique to each individual and which do not change over time . Even identical twins ( who share their DNA ) do not have identical fingerprints . The best way to render latent fingerprints visible , so that they can be photographed , can be complex and may depend , for example , on the type of surfaces on which they have been left . It is generally necessary to use a ' developer ' , usually a powder or chemical reagent , to produce a high degree of visual contrast between the ridge patterns and the surface on which a fingerprint has been deposited . </P>
<P> Since the late nineteenth century , fingerprint identification methods have been used by police agencies around the world to identify suspected criminals as well as the victims of crime . The basis of the traditional fingerprinting technique is simple . The skin on the palmar surface of the hands and feet forms ridges , so - called papillary ridges , in patterns that are unique to each individual and which do not change over time . Even identical twins ( who share their DNA ) do not have identical fingerprints . The best way to render latent fingerprints visible , so that they can be photographed , can be complex and may depend , for example , on the type of surfaces on which they have been left . It is generally necessary to use a ' developer ' , usually a powder or chemical reagent , to produce a high degree of visual contrast between the ridge patterns and the surface on which a fingerprint has been deposited . </P>
the first use of fingerprints in the united states was by the
the first use of fingerprints in the united states was by the
police agencies
police agencies