Alphonse Bertillon (anthropometry)

Alphonse Bertillon was a French police officer who developed an early method of identifying criminals called anthropometry in the late 19th century. This system involved taking precise measurements of various body parts, such as the head, face, and limbs, and recording distinctive features like scars or tattoos. By using these detailed measurements and descriptions, authorities could recognize repeat offenders more accurately than with descriptions alone. Bertillon's method marked a significant step toward modern forensic identification, laying groundwork for later techniques like fingerprinting. Although eventually replaced by more effective systems, his approach was a pioneering effort in systematic criminal recognition.