On March 13, 1902, an Argentine court considered fingerprint evidence in a case that became one of the earliest and most influential admissions of fingerprints in legal proceedings. The case, often associated with work by Argentine police official Juan Vucetich, followed developments in fingerprint classification and use that had been advancing in Europe and South America since the late 19th century. Context and prior developments Fingerprint identification emerged during the late 1800s as a proposed alternative to anthropometry (body measurements) for personal identification. Pioneers included Sir Francis Galton in Britain, who published studies on fingerprint uniqueness in the 1890s, and Allan Henry Garrow and others who helped popularize classification systems. Separately, Juan Vucetich, an Argentine-born police official of Croatian origin, developed a practical fingerprint filing system in the 1890s while working in the Buenos Aires police. By the turn of the century, fingerprint methods were being tested by police and forensic investigators in several countries. The 1902 admission Records identify March 1902 as a pivotal moment when fingerprint evidence was formally used in an Argentine judicial proceeding. Vucetich’s methods had been applied in earlier Argentine investigations, notably in 1892 in a case involving identification of victims and suspects, but the broader legal acceptance was consolidated in subsequent years. The March 13, 1902 date is cited in historical accounts as a key court date when fingerprint evidence was presented and given weight by judges, contributing to its acceptance within the Argentine legal system and signaling its credibility to other jurisdictions. Impact and significance The admission of fingerprint evidence in an Argentine court in 1902 helped demonstrate that fingerprint identification could be treated as reliable forensic evidence rather than mere investigative aid. This case contributed to growing international interest; within a few decades fingerprinting became standard in police work and increasingly admissible in courts worldwide. The Argentine experience, including Vucetich’s filing system, influenced adoption in other Latin American countries and showed an alternative to systems developed in Europe. Caveats and historical nuance Historians note that pinpointing a single "first" legal use is difficult because different jurisdictions adopted fingerprint methods at different times and earlier investigative uses occurred before formal court acceptance. There are earlier notable fingerprint uses—such as in India and Britain in the late 19th century—and other early court admissions in various countries. Some sources emphasize 1892 and other years for important Argentine fingerprint cases; others highlight March 1902 as the date of a significant judicial endorsement. Where sources disagree, scholars generally agree that the early 1900s were the decisive period when fingerprint evidence transitioned from experimental practice to recognized forensic tool. Legacy The 1902 judicial recognition in Argentina is remembered as part of the broader historical shift toward modern forensic science. It illustrates how scientific techniques move from expert practice into legal institutions and how national developments—like Vucetich’s system—contributed to a global forensic standard. By the mid-20th century, fingerprints were a routine component of criminal identification and forensic testimony in courts around the world.