The Single Digit Finger Print Bureau, Pathanamthitta started functioning on 16/10/89 as per GO (MS) No.69/89 Home Dated 08/05/89. The Bureau is housed along with Dstrict Crime Records Bureau of District Police Office, Pathanamthitta. Tester Inspector is the head of the Unit.

The officers working in the Bureau at present

1. V. H. Muhammed Easa Sahib – Tester Inspect
2. R. Rajendran - Finger Print Expert
3. P. R. Sivadasan - Finger Print expert
4. Muhammed Hareesh- Finger Print Searcher.

General

Finger Print Science (Dactyloscopy) is universally accepted as the science of personal identification. It is because of the permanency, persistency and variety of the ridges (the narrow hairy lines) constituting the Finger Print Bureau. Finger Print of a person remains unchanged from birth to death. Finger Prints of even identical twins differ, unlike DNA finger print. The first finger Print Bureau in the world was established in India in the year 1897 and the Travancore Finger Print Bureau was started functioning in 1900.

Scope and Service of Single Digit Finger Print Bureau

The finger print experts of the Single Digit Finger Print Bureau are assigned with the inspection of scene of crime to develop invisible finger prints ( Chance prints ) which are otherwise termed as “ Burglar’s Visiting Card”. The chance prints thus developed are photographed and the photographs of these chance prints are compared with the Finger Print record collection of the habitual offenders to locate the criminal if available in the police records. The finger print records are the slips of habitual offenders received from various police stations of the district at the time of their arrest under such offences.

Method of obtaining the service of Finger Print Experts.

In order to obtain the service of finger print experts for inspection of scene of crime the complt. Has to lodge an FIR at the concerned Police Station . It is only the request of the Station House Officer ( Circle/Sub Inspector ) the Finger Print Except will examine the scene of crime.’

Precautions to be observed by the complainant and public prior to the inspection
of scene of crime by Finger Print expert.

• Entry of the burglar should not be tampered

• Articles handled by the burglar should not be touched or handed by any one prior to the inspection

• Articles and places where the burglar has touched during the operation should not be handled by any one even with kerchief in hand as is commonly seen in movies. Such handling if done will cause erasure of the print of the culprit and hence this precaution.

• However, if any such handling has been done out of anxiety by any one, the fact should be revealed to the inspecting team. The intention is to take Finger prints of such person for the purpose of elimination of their finger prints.

Value of Evidence of Finger Prints

Finger print evidence is a non-corroborative evidence before the court. The chance print developed from a scene of crime, if identified with those of criminals is absolutely sufficient to establish the identity of a criminal beyond doubt and is acceptable by the court.


CONTRIBUTION OF THE BUREAU FOR INVESTIGATION


This bureau have provided vital evidences in many cases and aided the investigation. Some of the remarkable identifications made by the experts of this Bureau are furnished below.

• Identification of the accused in the murder of Rev. Fr. Thomas Padinjarekkattu of St. Marys’s Church, Thotta bhagom, Thiruvalla.

• Tracing of the Culprit in the Bank looting at Thiruvalla East Co Operative Branch, Othara branch

• Identification of the burglar who committed theft at St. Siman Cathedral church at Kumbazha, Pathanamthitta.

• Tracing of the criminal concerned in the theft at Sree Bhadra Dharma Shasta temple, Chennappally, Adoor

Finger Print Analysis and Criminal Tracing System ( FACTS )

Finger Print records of the entire states are now computerized and the computerized system (FACTS) is installed at Finger Print Bureau, Thiruvananthapuram ( Head Quarters). This system will reduce the manual search and provide speedier results.

Universal Finger Printing

Taking of finger prints of the entire population is in vogue in USA, Canada etc. where as in India there is only Criminal Finger Print Bureau which are exclusively under Police Department.

Universal finger print system if introduced in our country also, instances of impersonation, lost identity, kidnapping, forged passport and other valid documents etc can be effectively controlled.
 

SERVICE OF FINGER PRINT EXPERTS FOR THE PRIVATE PARTIES !

The service of finger Print Experts can be utilized by private parties after obtaining sanction from the superior officers and remitting the fee fixed by the Government for such services