Where was fingerprinting invented?

There is substantial proof that fingerprinting was invented in China. In 221-206 BC, Chinese records from the Qin Dynasty provide details of fingerprints being used to investigate criminal cases involving burglaries. Next, in 650 AD, 600 years before Marco Polo visited “Cathay”, Chinese historian Kia Kung-Yen wrote of fingerprinting. He talked about it being used as an older method of preparing contracts. The law book of Yung-Hwui of the same period also listed that the husband in a divorce decree had to sign the document using his fingerprints.

In 1100 AD, Chinese novelist Shi-Naingan wrote in his book, "The Story of the River Bank", “He compelled them to ink their fingers to record their fingerprints.”

Centuries and decades after the actions of the Chinese, a law student who is now unknown published his doctoral thesis in 1823 where he described fingerprint types. He classified them into nine major groups. But author and Czech experimental physiologist Johannes Purkinje later gave them no identification value. His efforts were very important since he is considered to be the first in the 19th century who recognized the uniqueness of fingerprints.

Many historians now credit Sir William Herschal with being the first person to definitely use fingerprints for identification purposes. While working for the East India Company in Bengal, India, Herschal had natives place their palm and fingerprints on contracts and receipts.