Letter: A proper role for psychology

Sir: In 1893 the Troup Committee set up by the Home Secretary accepted the proposition that no two persons had the same fingerprints. This, though technically remaining neither proved nor disproved, has been a fruitful hypothesis. But it was not until 1902 that fingerprint evidence was recognised by an English court for the first time.

Investigative psychology, a new enterprise, needs much more study and research to be expended upon it; it is too early to dismiss it curtly. Eventually it could be found undeniably useful even though it never formed more than a part of the prosecution's case.

Yours truly,

H. MacL. CURRIE

Yarm, Cleveland