In modern-day investigations, fingerprints are some of the most valuable clues in identifying a suspect. Automated fingerprint identification systems have reduced the time it takes to compare prints from hundreds of hours to a matter of minutes. Before the revolutionary introduction of automated analysis, investigators had to manually compare prints from a crime scene in order to exclude or implicate suspects in the commission of a crime. In May 1948, an unthinkable murder led to one of the most extensive mass fingerprinting operations in UK history. It solidified fingerprint comparison as one of the most accurate means of identification in criminal investigations… *** LISTENER CAUTION IS ADVISED ***     This episode was researched and written by Eileen Macfarlane. Edited by Joel Porter at Dot Dot Dot Productions. Script editing, additional writing, illustrations and production direction by Rosanna Fitton Narration, editing assistance, additional writing, and production direction by Benjamin Fitton. To get early ad-free access, including Season 1, sign up for They Walk Among PLUS, available from Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Listen to our companion podcast ‘They Walk Among America' here: https://play.acast.com/s/they-walk-among-america More information and episode references can be found on our website https://theywalkamonguspodcast.com MUSIC:  The Edge by Caleb Etheridge  Sussex by Stephen Keech  Bamburgh by Stephen Keech  Salvation by Moments  Quiet Desperation Part 2 by JCar  Recognize by Grant Borland  Growing Pains by Featherland  Ripley by Falls  Apex Program by Cody Martin  Petalstone by Cody Martin  Shadow Passage by Cody Martin  Woven by Alice in Winter  They Walk Among Us is part of the Acast Creator Network - https://www.acast.com/theywalkamongus SOCIAL MEDIA:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/TWAU_Podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theywalkamonguspodcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theywalkamonguspodcast Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/theywalkamongus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.