CRIM 355 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Alphonse Bertillon, Finger Ridges, Anthropometry

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRIM 355
• Professor: Jodie Ann Warren

Document Summary

First systematic attempt at personal identification was devised and introduced by a french police expert, alphonse bertillon in 1883. Bertillion system relied on a detailed description (portrait parle) on the subject, combined with full-length and profile photographs and a system of a precise body measurement known as anthropometry. Potrait parle: a verbal description of a perpetrator"s physical characteristics and dress provided by an eyewitness. Anthropometry: a system of identification of individuals by measurements of parts of the body, developed by alphonse bertillon. Rested on the premise that the dimensions of human bone system remained fixed from age 20 until death. Skeleton sizes thought to be extremely diverse no 2 individuals could have the same measurements. Bertillon recommended routine = 11 measurements of human anatomy (height, reach, width of head, length of left foot. For 2 decades, this system was considered most accurate method of identification.