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How A Case Of Mistaken Identity Led To The Use Of Fingerprinting
The cases of convicted killers named Will West and William West was a catalyst for changing how authorities kept track of criminals
A case of mistaken identity is an unimaginable terror for somebody accused of a serious crime. This is especially true when the true perpetrator not only has the exact same name but also looks just like you. In what seems better suited for a Hollywood story but was actually 100% true, such an occurrence took place more than 100 years ago and directly led to police.
At Leavenworth Prison in 1903, Will West was processed to start serving a sentence for manslaughter. During his intake, the common standard practices of the time were completed, including noting his physical description, taking photographs and making different anthropometric measurements to provide specific identifying markers. The only problem was that it still wasn’t enough to ensure they had the right man.
Upon reviewing his identifying markers, prison officials determined that he already had a significant record, including an conviction for murder. West strenuously protested he was innocent of those crimes, but the evidence was right there on the card. Another man named William West, with all the same…
