Bertillon system
Quick Summary
The Bertillon system was a method of criminal identification developed by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century. It relied on detailed bodily measurements, physical descriptions, and mug shot photographs to create a unique profile of an individual. This system was widely adopted in France and other countries for identifying criminals, particularly to determine if an arrested suspect had a prior record. While largely superseded by fingerprinting, the Bertillon system provided a descriptive portrait valuable to investigators and was a significant early step in scientific criminal identification.123
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Alphonse Bertillon…known as anthropometry, or the Bertillon system, that came into wide use in France and other countries.
Read More…known as anthropometry, or the Bertillon system, that came into wide use in France and other countries.
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mug shotHistory and role of Alphonse Bertillon…of physical descriptors and measurements—a form of anthropometry—intended to help with identification, which he called a portrait parlé (French: “spoken portrait”).
Read More…of physical descriptors and measurements—a form of anthropometry—intended to help with identification, which he called a portrait parlé (French: “spoken portrait”).
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