Reviewed by Sue Johnson, MyShelf.com
 Buy a Copy

Loops, whorls, arches and tents: every person's fingerprints are composed of these unique patterns. Today, fingerprints are an accepted form of forensic identification. Such was not always the case. In crime-ridden London in 1905, an elderly couple of shopkeepers were found murdered. A clear, bloody fingerprint was found on the cash box. A suspect is identified and his fingerprints matched the one left behind. The lawyers set up their case but the defense soon ruins the credibility of the circumstantial evidence. The prosecutor has no choice but to attempt to use the fingerprint and let the experts prove their validity.

As the book progresses we learn that a poor, unknown scientist named Henry Faulds originally discovered the unique patterns in a person's fingerprints but Francis Galton was a much more socially accepted man, the cousin of the infamous Darwin, and Galton ultimately took credit for Faulds' discovery.

There is a good bit of forensic history enclosed in this book. It is presented in such a way that it is not only an educational look at the cases but a good mystery pleasure read also.

© Copyright. MyShelf.Com. All Rights Reserved