FINGER PRINTS AND THE RUXTON MURDERS.

This article recounts the finger print identification process employed in the investigation of the Ruxton murders in Scotland in 1935. On October 1, the investigator was instructed to go to Dumfrieshire to analyze bundles of human remains that have been found on the Edinburgh-Moffat road. Some portions were on a small trestle table in an appalling condition: Decomposed flesh, a black mass seething with maggots, with an overpowering stench. Space being very limited, only a very preliminary examination could be made there. All the remains were removed to Edinburgh University for more detailed examination. No digital or palmar impressions could then be taken, due to the state of the flesh. The wife and maid of Ruxton of Lancaster, England had not been seen for some days. At Ruxton's house, the investigator found thirty nine sets of digital and palmar impressions, and were identified later as those of Mary Rogerson. On November 4, 1935, a right forearm and hand was found in bracken on the roadside a few hundred yards from where the other remains had been thrown over into the stream. A powerful magnifying lens with a light inside was used. Having an aperture in the side, it allowed of the adoption of this process. A very small spotting brush was dipped in ether and the derm lifted, similar in action to that of a plough.