1908 Police Officer Measuring Suspects Armspan

This historical photograph, taken around 1908, captures a police officer measuring a suspects armspan using the Bertillon method, an early system of criminal identification. Developed by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century, this method relied on precise body measurements, such as height, arm span, and head size, to create detailed records of individuals for law enforcement. This was a groundbreaking step in forensic science, moving away from mere descriptions and portraits to a more systematic approach to tracking criminals.

The image highlights the practices of the New York City Police Department, reflecting the growing sophistication of police work in the early 20th century. At this time, cities were grappling with rising crime rates, and effective identification methods were crucial for law enforcement. The photograph serves as a fascinating snapshot of how police developed new techniques to combat crime, paving the way for modern identification methods like fingerprinting and DNA analysis. This moment in history illustrates an important evolution in how society approached criminal justice.