B: Crime
Patrick, McKayla, Nick
Physiognomy
Judging a person and making assumptions based on outer expressions and body language. For example, judging whether someone is guilty based on their facial expression. The belief in such study varied through times. It was a strong belief with the Ancient Greeks and was less known among the Middle Ages before coming back into use in the 19th century. (Lavater, Nature of Man, 1775)
Phrenology
A pseudoscience (Belief/ practice that is never presented as scientific), study of the human skull. The study of different parts of the brain finding the different areas holding different information. It was a easy and very popular study between 1810 until 1840. Finding the specific centers of the brain holding thoughts and emotions was a huge historical advance toward neuropsychology, the study of the functions of the human mind. (North American Review, 1883, pg. 59)
Fingerprinting
One of the earliest accounts of fingerprinting was from William Herschel in 1858, using residents fingerprints in documents to reduce fraud. A few years later, Henry Faulds discovered fingerprints left in clay, sparking his interest in them.Faulds wrote to his cousin, Charles Darwin, asking for help to classify fingerprints. Darwin declined, but sent the letter to Francis Galton. Galton was a eugenist, meaning he researched genetics and how to improve them. He eventually developed a system for classifying based on arches, loops, and whorls. The first instance of fingerprints being used to identify a criminal was in Argentina in 1892 by Juan Vucetich. Vucetich was investigating the murder of two boys, their mother boyfriend being the prime suspect. However, upon comparing fingerprints, Vucetich discovered it was the mother who committed crime. Vucetich called this comparative dactyloscopy, and it is still used in Spanish speaking countries to this day. In 1896 London police commissioner Sir Edward Henry expanded on Galton’s technique. His system used direction, flow, and pattern and other characteristics of fingerprints. These characteristics turned into equations in order to distinguish fingerprints from others. The Henry Classification System then became the official method for fingerprint identification.
How Fingerprinting Works: The History of Fingerprints (2008)
Retrieved from: http://science.howstuffworks.com/fingerprinting3.htm
Policing and Justice
1674 to 1829. In this time period many victims were able to identify and apprehend criminals before contacting someone of high authority to secure their arrest. This sense of individual responsibility for law enforcement created bounty hunters because if authorities had trouble arresting the suspect they would put bounties on their heads and pay the person who turns them in.
(201). Policing in London . The proceedings of the Old Bailey. Retrieved from http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/static/Policing.jsp
Anthropometry
The science that defines physical measures of a person's size, form, and functional capabilities. This is used to evaluate the interaction of workers with task, especially in regard to determining degree of protection afforded against hazardous exposure, even if the exposure levels are high or low.
CDC. (2013). Anthropometry. Workplace Health and Safety Topics. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/anthropometry/
Jack The Ripper
A undefined serial killer of the 19th century, whom has been credited with the deaths of 5 women in the whitechapel area of London. Lots of speculation gravitates around the identity of Jack the Ripper; it is speculated that he in the occupation of a butcher or a doctor. These speculations are based on the weapons used in the mutilations of the victims. One theory of the killer leads to the death of Queen Victoria's grandson. Jack Ripper's identity remains a mystery, and will continue to be for years to come.