Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 227, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1912 — NEED GLOVES NOW [ARTICLE]

NEED GLOVES NOW

Success of Finger-Print System Hard on Crooks. Has Been Means of Securing Many Convictions and its Use Is Being Adopted More Widely by the Police. _ Indianapolis.—Burglars operating in Indianapolis in the future will have to wear gloves, as the detective department henceforth will pay more atattention to the practical side of the 'finger-print system. Captain of Detectives Holtz, on a recent visit to New York, found the detectives there were muking use of the finger-print system, and he believes itjwill be a great help in solving burglaries. The detective department here has us£d the finger-print system since it wlb adopted by the national bureau of identification. It has been used, however, more In identifying prisoners with the Bertillon system. After a prisoner has been brought in and his Bertillon identification has been completed, the finger-print cards were used to verify the identification more completely. “When I was in New York recently I found the police department using Jhe finger-print system to identify burglars who leave finger prints around the ‘Job* they have done,” said Captain Holtz. "Several large burglaries have been cleared in the east through finger prints, and the detectives there say burglars now year gloves when they are at work. "I have always believed the finger prints practical in police work. Frequently the finger prints of safe blowers are left on the door, and the ordinary burglar is apt to leave finger prints around a door or window. “The trouble is, the finger print to be of any service to police work, has to be very clear, or the expert is unable to see enough lines to make an identification.’* Bert Perrott, Bertillon clerk, is also the finger-print expert Perrott, since he has taken up the finger prints in connection with the Bertillon work, has shown great skill. Recently, as a test, a glass bottle was taken into the detective department at roll call. Previously the detectives had gone to Perrott’s office and he took the impression of their finger tips. After leaving the bottle Perrot returned to his office. Detective Frank

Duncan picked up the bottle and carried it to the other side of the room. Perrott then took the bottle to his office and compared the finger prints with those he had taken of the various detectives. He picked out Duncan as the man who had handled the bottle. • The advantage of the finger prints of the burglar to the detective is if the burglar has ever been under arrest of a larceny charge a record of his finger prints has been taken. The expert goes to the scene of the burglary, takes an impression of the finger prints, and then compares it with the ’cards he has on file.