Text 16

1. Read and translate the text.

FINGERPRINTS

The study of fingerprints is the best means available for identifying individuals. Fingerprinting is a simple and inexpensive means of recording an unchanging characteristic of an individual. Fingerprint records are consulted to determine if there is any prior criminal record. They help in determining the identity of the dead or injured.

First the anthropometrical system introduced by Alphonse Bertillon in 1882 was used as the means of individual identification. But in 1896 Argentina became the first country to introduce dactyloscopy with the formation of a fingerprint classification system developed by Dr. Juan Vucetich. This method is still used today though it has been further improved.

Fingerprints are perhaps the most common form of physical evidence and certainly one of the most valuable. They relate directly to the final aim of every criminal investigation – the identification of an offender. Fingerprints of the offender are often found at the scene of a crime. However, the prints can be easily destroyed by the first careless act. They are also, in many cases, difficult to find, especially latent prints. Frequently a latent print is the only evidence available which will serve to identify a perpetrator with his crime.

The possibility that the weapons of science can be turned against itself by the forging of fingerprints cannot be ignored. It is certainly possible to make a fingerprint and get from it a visible print, but the forged fingerprint does not stand up to expert examination. Even, if it were possible, it is easily detectable with the use of a good hand-lens. The best weapon against such forgeries is, basically, the photographic enlargement.

II. Answer the questions.

1. What was the first system of identification?

2. Who introduced dactyloscopy?

3. When was the first fingerprint classification worked out?

4. Why is fingerprinting the best means of identification?

5. How can a forged fingerprint be detected?

III. Find in the text the equivalents of the following words and expressions.

Вещественные доказательства, судимость, дактилоскопия, установление личности преступника, скрытые отпечатки, место преступления, подделывать отпечатки пальцев, научные средства.

IV. Write down sentences with the following idioms.

1.Keep your eyes open: a sale is a sale. Будь внимателен: договор есть договор.

2.Forbidden fruit is sweet. Запретный плод сладок.

Text 17

1. Read and translate the text.

SCOTLAND YARD

Scotland Yard is located south of St. James’s Park in Westminster. The original headquarters of Scotland Yard were in Whitehall (the street in London where many of the government departments are). Scotland Yard was so named because it was part of a medieval palace (Whitehall Palace) that had housed Scottish royalty when the latter were in London on visits.

The London police force was created in 1829 by an act introduced in Parliament by the home secretary, Sir Robert Peel (hence the nicknames "bobbies" and "peelers" for policemen).

The Metropolitan Police's duties are the detection and prevention of crime, the preservation of public order, the supervision of road traffic, and the licensing of public vehicles. The administrative head of Scotland Yard is the commissioner, who is appointed by the crown on the recommendation of the home secretary. Beneath the commissioner are various assistant commissioners overseeing such operations as administration, traffic and transport, criminal investigation and police recruitment and training.

Scotland Yard set up its Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 1878. The CID initially was a small force of plainclothes detectives who gathered information on criminal activities. Criminal Investigation Department deals with all aspects of criminal investigation and includes the fingerprint and photography sections, the Fraud Squad (the department in the British police force that examines fraud in business), the Flying Squad (a special group of police officers in Britain whose job is to travel quickly to the place where there has been a serious crime), the metropolitan police laboratory, and the detective-training school. Scotland Yard keeps extensive files on all known criminals in the United Kingdom. It also has a special branch of police who guard visiting dignitaries, royalty, and statesmen. Finally, Scotland Yard is responsible for maintaining links between British law-enforcement agencies and Interpol.