Bertillon Method Notes

8.19.11

Methods of Identification?

Methods of Identification?

Fingerprint

Iris (eye) scan

Blood type

DNA

Voice recognition software

Late 1800’s

Prior to current technologies, law enforcement had no reliable way to identify individuals

Problem?

Late 1800’s

Prior to current technologies, law enforcement had no reliable way to identify individuals

Problem? -Many repeat offenders were booked as first time criminals due to lack of proper identification, thus they were not given the appropriate sentence

Alphonse Bertillon

In 1879 he devised a system of measurement that could reliably identify an individual

Started with 9 basic measurements, currently over 1,000 are used

Became standard identification system until early 1900s, replaced by fingerprints

Measurement Details

1. Height2. Stretch: length of body

from left shoulder to tip of right middle finger with arm to side

3. “Bust”: Length of torso from head to seat, taken when seated

4. Length of head: crown (back) to forehead

Measurement Details

5. Width of head: temple to temple

6. Length of right ear7. Length of left foot8. Length of left middle finger9. Length of left cubit: elbow

to middle fingertip