A Midnight Intruder
On September 19, 1910, Clarence Hiller confronted a man breaking into his Chicago home. After a struggle, Hiller was shot and killed. The assailant, Thomas Jennings, was caught nearby with a torn coat and bloodied revolver, but it was what he left behind—a fingerprint—that made history.
A Crucial Clue
Police found a clear fingerprint on a freshly painted porch railing used by the intruder to enter the home. The railing was removed and presented in court as evidence. Jennings became the first person in the U.S. convicted of murder based on fingerprint evidence.
Controversy and Conviction
Jennings’ defense questioned the reliability of fingerprints, a novel technique at the time. However, expert testimony and a courtroom demonstration convinced the jury. Jennings was sentenced to death, and his conviction was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court.
A Legal Precedent
The Jennings case set a precedent for using fingerprint evidence in U.S. courts. While fingerprinting is now a cornerstone of forensic science, debates over its reliability and interpretation continue, tracing back to the fateful night Jennings left his mark.
On September 19, 1910, Clarence Hiller awoke to screams and confronted an intruder in his Chicago home. After a struggle and gunshots, Hiller was found dead. Thomas Jennings, caught nearby, became the first person in the U.S. convicted of murder using fingerprint evidence.🧵1/3👇 pic.twitter.com/6V1RKYDbOq
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 8, 2025