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Alphonse Bertillon was a French policeman who believed that people could be physically identified

Alphonse Bertillon was a French policeman who believed that people could be physically identified by conducting a series of measurements. Bertillon's system , anthropometrics, became popular during the 1880s. Measurements included: Body height Outstretched reach of both arms

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Alphonse Bertillon was a French policeman who believed that people could be physically identified

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  1. Alphonse Bertillon was a French policeman who believed that people could be physically identified by conducting a series of measurements.

  2. Bertillon's system, anthropometrics,became popular during the 1880s. • Measurements included: • Body height • Outstretched reach of both arms • Trunk height • Width of the head • Length of the head • Width of the right ear • Length of the right ear • Length of the left foot • Length of the left middle finger • Length of the left little finger • Length of the the left forearm • In 1903, something occurred… • The case of Will West destroyed confidence in the Bertillon System literally overnight.

  3. In 1903, a prisoner by the name Will West was sentenced to incarceration at the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas. During his in processing, the records clerk obtained Will West's Bertillon measurements and photograph. “You have been here before!” Will West denied ever being incarcerated at the facility.

  4. The records clerk, having referenced his Bertillon measurements into the system, retrieved the card for a William West. Will West denied that the William West card was his. Will West's Bertillon Measurements 178.5 187.0 91.2 19.7 15.8 14.8 6.6 28.2 12.3 9.7 William West's Bertillon Measurements 177.5 188.0 91.3 19.8 15.9 14.8 6.5 27.5 12.2 9.6

  5. Subsequent investigation disclosed that William West was already incarcerated in the facility as of September 9, 1901. William West was quickly produced, and everyone marveled at the similarities Will West William West

  6. Perhaps they were related, therefore the closeness in measurements and appearance. It didn’t matter… As a result of this incident, the Bertillon system was later discarded in favor of fingerprints.

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