PDI podcast reviews 93 years of fingerprint analysis

The Chilean Investigations Police (PDI) has launched a new episode of its podcast, "El Más Buscado" (The Most Wanted). This latest installment, titled "La Huella No Miente" (The Fingerprint Doesn't Lie), delves into the 93-year history of the PDI's Fingerprint Section (Sección de Huellografía y Dactiloscopía). The episode chronicles the significant technological advancements in fingerprint analysis, starting from its origins with cardboard files and printing ink. It contrasts this with the present-day Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), which can now compare an astonishing 735,000 records in mere minutes. Andrés Escudero, a fingerprint and dactyloscopy expert, is featured in the podcast. He explains the foundational principle that fingerprints are unique, noting that even an individual's 20 fingers do not yield identical prints. Escudero also recounts the laborious identification processes used before the advent of computers, which involved metal rollers, magnifying glasses, and extensive manual searches through massive wooden filing cabinets. The podcast episode is available on YouTube, Spotify, and the PDI's official social media channels, offering the public a glimpse into the evolution of forensic science in Chile.