Bertillon system meaning

The Bertillon system was a method of identification based on physical measurements, primarily used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before the advent of fingerprinting.


Bertillon system definitions

Word backwards nollitreB metsys
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "Bertillon system" is a proper noun. It refers to a specific system of criminal identification developed by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century.
Syllabic division Ber-til-lon sys-tem
Plural The plural of Bertillon system is Bertillon systems.
Total letters 15
Vogais (3) e,i,o
Consonants (8) b,r,t,l,n,s,y,m

The Bertillon system, also known as the Bertillon measurement system, was a method used to identify individuals based on a series of physical measurements and descriptions. Developed by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century, this system revolutionized the way law enforcement agencies kept track of criminals and suspects.

History of the Bertillon System

Alphonse Bertillon, a French criminologist, introduced his system in the 1870s as a way to standardize the way individuals were identified. Prior to this system, identification methods were often unreliable and inconsistent, leading to cases of mistaken identity. With the Bertillon system, law enforcement agencies could now accurately classify and categorize individuals based on their unique physical characteristics.

Components of the Bertillon System

The Bertillon system relied on a set of measurements, including height, length of the head, length and width of the head, length of the middle finger, and other distinctive features. These measurements were recorded and used to create a detailed description of an individual, known as a "bertillonage." Along with the measurements, photographs and fingerprints were also taken to further enhance the identification process.

Importance and Legacy

The Bertillon system was a major breakthrough in criminal identification and played a crucial role in the development of modern forensic science. It was widely adopted by law enforcement agencies around the world and was used for several decades. However, with the advancement of fingerprinting and DNA analysis, the Bertillon system eventually became obsolete and was replaced by more reliable methods of identification.

Bertillon system marked a significant milestone in the history of criminal justice and forensic science, paving the way for more accurate and efficient methods of identification. Although no longer in use today, the legacy of Alphonse Bertillon and his innovative system continues to influence the field of forensic science.


Bertillon system Examples

  1. The police department implemented the Bertillon system to help identify criminals based on their physical measurements.
  2. The accuracy of the Bertillon system was crucial in solving a cold case that had been unsolved for decades.
  3. Researchers are studying the history of forensic science, including the impact of Alphonse Bertillon and his system.
  4. Many countries around the world have adopted variations of the Bertillon system to assist in criminal identification.
  5. Modern technology has largely replaced the Bertillon system in forensic investigations, but its principles still influence criminal profiling.
  6. A key component of the Bertillon system was the use of detailed physical descriptions to create individualized profiles of suspects.
  7. The Bertillon system revolutionized the way law enforcement agencies recorded and organized information on criminals.
  8. Experts in forensics often compare the Bertillon system to modern methods of DNA analysis to highlight the advancements in the field.
  9. Alphonse Bertillon's development of the Bertillon system paved the way for the standardization of criminal identification techniques.
  10. The Bertillon system played a significant role in the evolution of forensic science and criminal investigation practices in the late 19th century.


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  • Updated 25/04/2024 - 18:14:02