Fingerprints is a subject near and dear to my heart. When a non-fingerprint person authors a book on this subject, I become very skeptical. When the book is published as a "popular" rather than an academic account, the skepticism intensifies. In spite of my cautious approach to reading this book, within a few pages the author captured my attention with his colorful and descriptive portrayal of a significant event in the history of fingerprints. As he wove a detailed history into the storyline of England’s first murder case involving fingerprints, I recognized the accuracy of our normally cited historical facts. Mr. Beavan captured and portrayed the history in depth, and presented not only the historical account, but the personality of key fingerprint pioneers. He brought to life the characters and pursuit of recognition which plagued Galton and Faulds. While I would describe myself as a perpetual student of the subject of fingerprints, I admit to an average familiarity with its history. This book provided not only the normal pleasures associated with reading a good book, but also a detailed study into the history of fingerprints. A graphic description of historical measures to ascertain truth in the name of justice is also outlined. The source notes, bibliography and acknowledgments illustrate Mr. Beavan’s superb journalistic research efforts.

Fingerprints should be read by every latent print examiner, AFIS technician, and anyone involved with fingerprints, however, it is also a great book for the non-technical audience. My spouse, an avid reader for the pleasure of reading, seized the book upon its arrival and found herself intrigued with the history of what she previously considered a "your thing." Normally, she tolerates my one-sided discussions about fingerprints, but during her reading of Fingerprints, she initiated the conversations.