Bertillonsystem

The Bertillon system, also known as anthropometry or Bertillonage, was an early method of criminal identification developed by French police officer Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century. It was one of the first systematic approaches to verifying an individual's identity beyond traditional fingerprinting and eyewitness accounts.

The system relied on detailed physical measurements of various body parts, including the head, ears, arms, and stature. Bertillon believed that these measurements, which he called "morphological data," were unique to each individual and stable over time, allowing for the creation of a physical profile that could distinguish suspects. He also included photographs and detailed descriptive records as part of a comprehensive identification file.

The Bertillon system gained widespread adoption in police departments across Europe and North America during the early 20th century. It was considered a significant advancement at the time because it provided a standardized method for identifying repeat offenders and solving crimes. However, the system had limitations, such as the potential for measurement errors and the fact that some individuals' physical features could change over time.

The advent of fingerprint analysis in the early 20th century gradually replaced anthropometry, as fingerprints were found to be more reliable and easier to categorize. By the mid-20th century, the Bertillon system was largely phased out in favor of fingerprinting and other biometric identification techniques.

Despite its decline, the Bertillon system remains notable as a pioneering effort in the history of forensic science and criminal identification methods. It laid the groundwork for modern biometric systems by emphasizing the importance of systematic physical records.