Delhi crime: Fingerprint bureau on a crime-solving spree

Delhi crime: The Delhi Police’s fingerprint bureau has been making significant strides in solving crimes.

With half the year gone by, sources reveal that the Delhi Police has solved over half of its cases using its fingerprint database.

As of 12 July, the Delhi Police has cracked 150 cases, compared to a total of 231 cases solved throughout 2023.

Out of these cases, 95 were resolved using the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).

Additionally, 46 cases were solved through the Automated Finger and Palm Identification System (AFPIS), while nine cases were resolved through DNA sampling.

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Cracking down on burglars

This year, the bureau has solved 61 burglary cases, compared to 87 cases solved throughout the previous year.

According to police officials, the fingerprint system is crucial for solving thefts and burglaries, especially given the lack of clear motive in many such cases.

“Most burglaries often lack a solid motive beyond the desire to obtain money easily,” said a senior police official.

“Unlike murder, where there is usually a personal motive, robberies, thefts, and burglaries often do not have such prerequisites.”

Identifying dead bodies

A significant portion of the solved cases involves the identification of unidentified dead bodies (UIDBs).

As of 12 July, 60 UIDBs have been identified this year.

The bureau has successfully identified 43 bodies in Delhi, six in Haryana, three each in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, two in Gujarat, and one each in Madhya Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra.

In these cases, NAFIS was used in 26 instances and AFPIS in 34. For context, in 2023, the team identified 58 UIDBs over the entire year.

The other solved cases include six for murder, one for rape, one for dacoity, two for cheating, one for robbery, and 18 for theft.

From magnifying to lasers

The bureau, which once relied on magnifying lenses, cameras, and powder packets, now operates with advanced lasers. This modern technology allows for more accurate detection of fingerprints, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.

By applying an intense burst of green laser light, investigators can detect fluorescence in fingerprint residues.
Additionally, a cutting-edge technique using cyanoacrylate vapour—found in household glues—binds to fingerprint chemicals, turning them white and solidifying the prints, making them easier to analyse.

According to an officer, this method is applicable to various surfaces, including softer materials like pillowcases. Once collected, these latents undergo detailed analysis.

Magnifying cameras and advanced computer algorithms convert the intricate details into a digital code, which is then compared against the NAFIS database. Technicians carefully review potential matches before making a final selection.

A forensic expert attached to the bureau stated that the system is fool-proof, with no incorrect identifications reported to date.

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Kamla market fingerprint bureau

The impressive results are attributed to the Kamla Market-based Fingerprint Bureau of the Delhi Police.

In 2023, the bureau visited over 25,000 crime scenes across the national capital due to a surge in crimes with no witnesses.

However, the success is less about an increase in crime and more about the reliability of identifying suspects through their fingerprints.

“Witnesses may go missing, or a crime may occur without any witnesses, but the fact remains that no one can fake their fingerprint,” said a police officer.

“No matter who they are, if their fingerprint is present, they can be traced.”

Currently, the database contains only the fingerprints of individuals with criminal cases against them.

In November 2023, the Kerala High Court considered a plea from an Investigating Officer regarding the admissibility and access to the Aadhaar Card’s biometric database for fingerprint matching. However, as of now, it remains inadmissible.