CLPEX Chat Board

Hello everyone,

I wanted to know how many agencies out there are currently filing their new fingerprint cards using Henry. We use the arrest/booking number to file cards, so I was just wondering who still uses Henry.

Thank you!

No Henry here! We file by last name. That way if we have a suspect and only know his name we can compare all the George Jalopy's on file to the latents. Seems like you may miss some filing by the booking number.

Henry Classification? Isn't that a little like Cobol Computer programing, part of the history, interesting to learn about, but no longer of any practical use!

You might want to check with Ohio BCI, I think they keep track of all the "active" Henry files in the country (both of them)


I would also respectfully disagree with my friend Angie regarding retrieval of fingerprint by name. I think that names only add to confusion when trying to locate a print card. Due to alias names used (both deceitful and legitimate), mis-spelled names (intentional and careless typo's), and delays in updating a database of names in the fingerprint section , I think it is preferable to retrieve cards by the numbers. (local ID, state ID, booking number, etc.)

A little research will show that names are recorded at the time of booking in a number of other databases. Criminal justice information systems, Jail management systems, and mugshot systems all collect a large amount of data on subjects booked, and most are newer systems that are easily searchable and can quickly reveal the "numbers" needed to pull a print card from file, or print one from a NIST archive or AFIS. Although we have used names for years and most examiners are creatures of habit, I think we need to look at how we have always done things and make some adjustments for the sake of accuracy and efficiency

Hey Bill hope the conference went well!

I understand your reasoning for numbers but I'm talking about my local records. Our state uses the state id number in filing(can you still call it filing when it's electronic?) but here locally I'm still a proponent of names. If I get a suspect and all they know is his name is Bill Schade then I can pull all my Bill Shade fingerprint cards to compare. If all I have is his name is Bill Shade and my cards are filed by number...well then what do I do? Do I have another file somewhere that has the name listed with the number? I think the difference here is you're talking about a data base and I'm talking about the 90 linear feet of five drawer filing cabinets in my office! I haven't added to those cabinets in a few years since we started using the NIST file...just so you know I'm not sittin' here in the dark ages!

Two things about Henry......there are still agencies that use it and one reason is that a lot of small agencies can't afford an AFIS. Their bad guys are mostly local so filing by Henry allows them to manually search their card file. I also still teach Henry! I think it's a great way to learn pattern recognition and fun to see the "aha" moments when my students finally get it!

Angie
Your points are valid and I understand that there are differences among agencies.

Due to volume of requests, we do not have the luxury of comparing all the subjects with similar names against our cases. I think it is up to the investigator making the request to be more specific and tell us exactly who his subject is. All the arrest information is maintained elsewhere and once they can tell me a subject was in fact arrested, when and perhaps where, I can locate the prints easily by the local booking number. Actually, I do have a file that lists the name and number (an henry class when we filed that way) I understand that it was a "card file" up until the late 70's when the cards were entered into the County "Cobol" Criminal Justice mainframe computer system. We have been moving away from maintaining that database with alias names and such and I constantly remind my examiners to not rely on it when looking for prints. There are better places to search for the information we need (at least in my county, in my state)

I suspect that you must still deal with the confusion of names, even with only 90 feet of files.


I also realize that there are agencies using Henry classification and I sympathize with them, please excuse my irreverence. I also believe that Henry should be taught, but it is difficult to learn it when there is no place to put it into practice. I think the value of teaching henry classification is that it is a good indication of who will "like" doing fingerprint work. At least the students who "get it" will know what to expect in a career in this field.

It seems to me that the method of filing is actually immaterial (at least at the local level), as long as two pre-requisites are met:
1. In addition to the hardcopy, the fingerprints of the individual exist in an electronic database (AFIS).
2. There is a comprehensive cross-index available.

Prior to AFIS, when fingerprints were widely filed by Henry classification in manual files, we used a cross index file. When presented with a name or identifying number, we could quickly check the index file for a match. The index also had the Henry classification for that individual, enabling a quick retrieval of the card. The system also enabled a quicker confirmation of an individual's identity without having to complete a manual search through the Henry classified file.

Today, in those instances where a search of the fingerprints themselves becomes necessary, they need to be available in an AFIS for automated searching. If not available in an AFIS, the cards should be maintained in a searchable manual file such as a Henry classified file.
Regards, RLT

I LOVED working in the Henry files in the three agencies I have worked for. Of course, I am a bit of a dinosaur. In fact, I think I may have dated Henry.

No, I no longer file by Henry because I have a Cogent AFIS. I file the fingerprint cards by the state issued identification number. I find that people either forget their names or at least, the last one they used or, HORRORS, they flat out lie. When I filed cards in alphabetical order until they could be classified and filed by Henry, I would find cards on the same people two and three times under different names.

I think that after years of filing by Henry, I am a faster latent print examiner. I learned where the highest frequency of pattern types exist in each finger. By going to the most likely finger to start looking, I save time.

Plus, I even classified palms for a manual searching system a few decades ago. I saw so many pattern freqencies in palms that other examiners could hand me a partial palm latent print and I could tell them which way was up, which hand to look at and the area within that hand. People would ask me how I did it and my response was "I don't know how. I just know." Then, I took Ron Smith's class and it all made sense. Now, I had the words to explain what I knew.

Anyway, I love my Cogent AFIS, but I still miss Henry.

Kathy

Kathy Saviers wrote: . . . I think I may have dated Henry. . . . I still miss Henry.

I had lunch with Henry in the dining hall at the IAI Retired LPE Rec Center last week. He misses you, too, Kathy.

We have had a full AFIS system since 1990 and we still use the Henry system. Two reasons, most important equipment failures in a jail booking and release envirnoment is unacceptable but with Henry we are still processing arrestees. Also if the we need to relocate do to a disaster or new building needs we have Henry still working for us. And best of all fingerprint examiners need to know fingerprints if they ever wish to move to a latent print examiner and Henry is the best way to instill that knownledge. History is one of our best teachers especially during these new times of attacks on our profession.

afisman wrote:. . . fingerprint examiners need to know fingerprints if they ever wish to move to a latent print examiner and Henry is the best way to instill that knownledge. History is one of our best teachers . . . .

AMEN !!!

"Henry" is to fingerprints as Latin is to English.

You don't need to study Latin to speak and understand English. But if you want to be a true expert in English and understand the etymology of the language, a study of Latin might be considered crucial.

Likewise, a fingerprint technician sitting at an AFIS terminal does not need to know Henry. But if you want to be a true fingerprint expert, I believe a study of the Henry Classification System, working knowledge of all the terms, and practice in classifying by Henry is fundamental to your expertise.

I am a little late. Been off the site a little too long. We still use Henry here at Denver PD. Every new card is classed, searched and run through AFIS. Ok, sit down, here comes a shocker...we occasionally find one in the Henry files that AFIS does not!

Hooray for the Dinosaurs -- We're not extinct!!! Yeah for our side!!!

"Henry" is to fingerprints as Latin is to English

As much as I hated learning Henry I did get something out of it and am glad I was exposed to it. But I'm even more glad I don't have to use it at work!!!

One good asteroid would wipe you dinosaurs out.

Can some of you smart people out there provide me with what your definition of "Henry' IS?