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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Bertillon system
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A quick definition of Bertillon system:
The Bertillon system is a way to identify criminals by measuring and describing their physical features. It was created by a French scientist named Alphonse Bertillon a long time ago. The system measures things like height, arm span, and the length of different body parts. It also takes pictures and notes any scars or tattoos. Nowadays, we mostly use fingerprints to identify people instead of the Bertillon system.
A more thorough explanation:
The Bertillon system is a method of identifying criminals by measuring and describing their physical characteristics. It was developed by Alphonse Bertillon, a French anthropologist, in the early 20th century. The system has been largely replaced by fingerprinting.
The Bertillon system records various physical measurements, such as height, arm span, sitting height, head length, ear width, foot length, finger length, and forearm length. It also includes photographs, hair and eye color, complexion, scars, tattoo marks, and any asymmetrical anomalies.
For example, if a suspect is arrested and their physical measurements match those recorded in the Bertillon system, it can help confirm their identity. Additionally, if a suspect has a unique scar or tattoo, it can be used as evidence to link them to a crime.