Legal Definitions - Bertillon system

The Bertillon system was an early method used by law enforcement to identify individuals, primarily criminals, through a detailed record of their physical characteristics. Developed by French anthropologist Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century, it involved taking a precise set of bodily measurements, along with descriptive notes about features like hair and eye color, scars, and tattoos, and a standardized photograph (front and profile). The underlying principle was that these specific measurements would remain constant after adulthood and would be unique enough to distinguish one person from another. This system was a precursor to modern identification techniques like fingerprinting, which largely replaced it.

Here are some examples illustrating how the Bertillon system would have been applied:

• Example 1: Identifying a Recidivist

  A man is arrested for burglary in a major city. Police officers, suspecting he might be a repeat offender, take his precise measurements—such as the length of his left foot, the span of his arms, and his sitting height—along with photographs and a description of his facial features and any distinguishing marks. They then compare this new set of data against a central archive of Bertillon records for previously arrested individuals. If his measurements and descriptions match a record already on file, authorities can confirm his identity as a known criminal who has been arrested before, even if he provides a false name.

• Example 2: Creating an Initial Identification Record

  A young man is apprehended for the first time after committing a minor offense. As part of the booking process, law enforcement meticulously records his Bertillon measurements, including his head length and width, the length of his left middle finger, and his overall height. They also document his eye color, hair color, and any unique scars or birthmarks. This comprehensive set of data creates his unique Bertillon "card" or record, which would be stored in a national or regional database. This record would then serve as a baseline for future identification if he were ever to be arrested again, ensuring that authorities could accurately identify him regardless of any aliases he might use.

• Example 3: Tracking a Fugitive Across Jurisdictions

  A notorious criminal escapes from prison, and authorities issue an alert. The only reliable identification information available from before the widespread use of fingerprints is his detailed Bertillon record, which includes his specific arm span, the width of his right ear, and his unique facial profile photographs. Months later, a man fitting a general description is apprehended in a distant state. Local police, upon receiving the fugitive alert, take the suspect's Bertillon measurements and compare them to the escaped prisoner's record. A precise match in the unique combination of these physical dimensions and descriptive details would confirm that the apprehended individual is indeed the fugitive, allowing for his proper identification and return.