When and why were fingerprints first used in the US?

Fingerprints were first used in the United States in 1902, when they were used to identify convicted criminals in Leavenworth, Kansas. Prior to this, anthropometric measurements (such as height, weight, and limb lengths) were used for identification purposes. However, fingerprints were found to be more reliable and unique, and they quickly became the standard method of identification for law enforcement agencies in the US.

In 1903, the first fingerprint bureau in the US was established at the Leavenworth Federal Prison. The bureau began collecting and classifying fingerprints from convicted criminals, and it soon became a resource for law enforcement agencies across the country. By 1914, all federal prisons were using fingerprints for identification, and many state and local law enforcement agencies had adopted the practice as well.

The use of fingerprints in the US was greatly expanded in 1924, when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) established its fingerprint division. The FBI's fingerprint division rapidly became the largest and most comprehensive fingerprint repository in the world, and it has played a vital role in solving crimes and identifying criminals ever since.

Today, fingerprints are used by law enforcement agencies throughout the US for a variety of purposes, including:

* Identifying suspects and victims

* Tracking down fugitives

* Linking crimes to suspects

* Exonerating innocent people

Fingerprints are a powerful tool for law enforcement, and they have played a vital role in making our communities safer.