The idea that FPs could be used as a means of personal identification was first put forward by Sir William Herschel, Dr.HenryFaulds gave the idea of tracing a criminal from the latent prints found at the scene of crime. Based on the idea of Herschel and Faulds. Sir Francis Galton established scientifically the basic principles of uniqueness, permanency and immutability in FPs. The first ever Finger Print Bureau in the world was established at Calcutta in the year 1897.
State Finger Print Bureau functions under the administrative control of the Addl. Director general of Police, CID and under the technical control of Director, FPB - CID. In the districts work under the control of Superintendent of Police and Finger Print Unit contains Inspector of Police as in charge, one S.I and 2 Civil PCs assisted to him.
The main objective of FP Unit is visit scene of crime and collect chance prints and maintains criminal records for using them for criminal investigation. These are maintained in the Unit for the purpose of establishing both identify and past criminal history of a suspect for identifying the offenders from the chance prints located at SOC. At present FP Unit, Tirupati has6830 FP records pertaining to arrested persons, 4885 FP records pertaining to Suspect slips, 1845 FP records pertaining to suspected persons.
Furnishing criminal antecedents, providing the back ground of any individual detained under suspicious circumstances. Tracking of out of view criminal.
Establishing the identity of unidentified dead bodies.
Identifying of accused persons from the records maintained.
Identifying of criminals though chance prints lifted from scene of crime.
Assisting in apprehending proclaimed offenders, absconders and persons who escaped from prisons.
Giving opinion on documents bearing disputed finger prints referred by various courses, financial institutions and investing agencies.
Imparting training to Police Officers.
Reconstruction of the crime scene.
Identifying the physical evidence.
Collection, preservation, packing & forwarding the physical evidence for further analysis.
Assisting the I.O. in crime scene sketch and in writing letter of advice.
Recording the scene of offence and guiding the I.O. In all the above steps. Preserving Crime Scene