The fingerprint
branch established in 1903, as part of the Detective Branch, was
instantaneously heralded as an effective tool of criminal detection.
Later, when photographs were added to fingerprint information, this
area became the cornerstone of criminal investigative work.
The first officer in charge of the Fingerprint Branch was Walter
Henry-Childs. He later rose through the ranks to become Commissioner
of Police from 1930 to 1935.
For the 83 years between 1903 and 1986 fingerprint searching was
done manually, although some automation was introduced into the
recording areas.
1986 saw the introduction of a computerised classification system
which offers police almost immediate response to inquiries, not only
within NSW but throughout the entire country.
