BERTILLON CARD Meaning and
Definition
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A Bertillon card refers to a historical identification system that was developed by Alphonse Bertillon, a French criminologist, in the late 19th century. It was widely employed in law enforcement agencies worldwide before the advent of fingerprinting and modern computer databases.
A Bertillon card, also known as a Bertillon record or anthropometric card, consisted of a standardized format used to record detailed physical measurements of an individual, primarily for the purpose of identification and criminal investigation. This identification system relied on the belief that certain bodily measurements, such as height, weight, head circumference, and other distinctive physical features, were unique to each person. These measurements were meticulously documented on the card, along with additional information such as name, age, address, and any pertinent identifying marks or tattoos.
The Bertillon method aimed to create a systematic and reliable database of individuals, primarily criminals, in order to facilitate quick and accurate identification and criminal investigations. It was thought that the physical measurements documented on the Bertillon card could effectively identify repeat offenders and help solve crimes by linking suspects to particular cases or locations.
However, with advancements in fingerprinting and the realization that physical measurements alone were not infallible for identification, the use of Bertillon cards eventually declined. Nowadays, the term Bertillon card often refers to a historical artifact or symbol of a bygone era in forensic science, illustrating the evolution of criminal investigation techniques.
Etymology of BERTILLON CARD
The word "Bertillon card" is named after Alphonse Bertillon, a French anthropologist and biometrics researcher, who developed a system of identification using physical measurements of the body. The term "Bertillon card" refers to the identification cards that were created according to Bertillon's system.
The etymology of the word "Bertillon" itself traces back to Alphonse Bertillon's surname. The name Bertillon originated from the Old French word "bertel", meaning "little illustrious", which later evolved into "Bretillon" and finally became "Bertillon".
