Alphonse-Joseph-Amédée Bertillon

Place: Paris

Born: 1853

Death: 1914

Biography:

Alphonse-Joseph-Amédée Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher, born in 1853 and died in 1914. He is best known for his work in applying the anthropological technique of anthropometry to law enforcement, creating an identification system based on physical measurements. Alphonse-Joseph-Amédée Bertillon is also credited with inventing the mug shot, a photograph of a person's face, which has become a standard tool in law enforcement.

Early Life and Career

Bertillon was born in Paris, France, and began his career in law enforcement at a young age. He became interested in the field of biometrics and began studying the use of physical measurements to identify individuals. In 1882, he published a paper on the subject, which caught the attention of the French police department.

Contributions to Law Enforcement

Bertillon's work in biometrics led to the development of a system of identification based on physical characteristics such as height, weight, and body proportions. He also developed a system for classifying and filing photographs of criminals, which became known as the "mug shot." This innovation revolutionized the field of law enforcement, making it easier to identify and track down suspects. Some notable works by Alphonse-Joseph-Amédée Bertillon can be found on Wikioo.org, including his research papers and photographs. The Museu Brent Museum in the United Kingdom also has a collection of works related to Bertillon's contributions to law enforcement.

Legacy

Bertillon's work had a significant impact on the field of law enforcement, and his innovations are still used today. His system of identification based on physical characteristics has been widely adopted, and his mug shot photographs have become an iconic symbol of crime and punishment. Biometrics and anthropometry are now essential tools in the field of law enforcement, thanks to Bertillon's pioneering work. Some notable artists who have worked with Alphonse-Joseph-Amédée Bertillon include Paul Crow and Kanō Eitoku, whose works can be found on Wikioo.org. The West Midlands Police Museum in the United Kingdom also has a collection of works related to Bertillon's legacy.

• Biometrics: the study of physical characteristics to identify individuals
• Anthropometry: the measurement of human body proportions and characteristics
• Museu Brent Museum: a museum in the United Kingdom with a collection of works related to Bertillon's contributions to law enforcement
• West Midlands Police Museum: a museum in the United Kingdom with a collection of works related to Bertillon's legacy

For more information on Alphonse-Joseph-Amédée Bertillon and his work, visit Wikioo.org or the Museu Brent Museum in the United Kingdom.