D: crime
Ryan Culliton, Taylor Haince, Megan Croteau
Physiognomy
Physiognomy is the study of ones features to determine weather or not they were a “born criminal”. During the 19th century a man named Cesare Lombroso preformed autopsies on deceased criminals. These autopsies revealed 14 traits which he believed to be common in all criminals. (Wikipedia, 2015)
Wikipedia (2015) Anthropological Criminology.
Retrieved from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropological_criminology
Phrenology
Wikipedia (2015) Phrenology.
Retrieved from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrenology
The “Black Museum” and Jack the ripper
The Black Museum, now called the crime museum, is located at the new Scotland Yard in London. It houses many criminal artifacts, including weapons used in murders and assaults in London, hangman’s nooses, and letters from jack the ripper. (Wikipedia, 2015)
Jack the ripper (also known as the Whitechapel murder, and leather apron) was an unidentified serial killer in the Whitechapel district of London. He was known for murdering prostitutes from the slums of the east end of London, by slitting their throats, then mutilating their bodies. Between the 31st of August and the 9th of November 1888 he killed five victims: Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly. These five are known as the "canonical five", their murders were never solved. Throughout the murders the police received numerous letters. Among these were the “Dear Boss” letter, the “Saucy Jacky” postcard, and the “From Hell” letter. (Wikipedia, 2015)
Wikipedia (2015) Jack the Ripper.
Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_the_Ripper
Wikipedia (2015) Black Museum.
Retrieved from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Museum
Newspaper article, September 1888
Photo of the body of Mary Jane Kelly
Letter From Hell, Signed Jack the ripper
Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914)
Alphonse Bertillion was a French poliece officer who was also a biometrics Researcher. He applied a physical identification system called Anthropometry to identify criminals. In 1888 he invented the modern mug shot. This type of photograph featured a full side profile and full face view, making the lighting and angles consistant. His technique was soon adopted by Europe, the United States, and Russia. This made it much easier to recognize, and keep track of criminals. (Wikipedia, 2015)
Wikipedia (2015) Alphonse Bertillon.
Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonse_Bertillon
Wikipedia (2015) Mug Shot.
Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mug_shot
Francis Galton (1822-1911)
Galton made the fingerprinting system a probable way to determine identities. Sir William James Herschel invented fingerprinting in the 1860, and was proposed in forensic studies in 1880 by Henry Faulds. Although he was not the first to discover it, Galton was the first to study it. He assisted the acceptance of the technique by placing his study on scientific footing. He pointed out the different patterns found in fingerprints, describing and classifying them into the eight categories found today. (Wikipedia, 2015)
Wikipedia (2015) Fingerprint.
Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint
Wikipedia (2015) Francis Galton
Retrieved from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Galton
Reflection
Life in the 19th century was probably not the best for the general population. Poor living conditions seemed to have resulted in dirty streets and many homeless people and prostitutes. On the other hand, the late 19th century was blossoming with new technologies and research. During this time we implemented various methods and techniques we still use in modern forensics and criminology. Although some theories proved to be pointless, and others seeming just plain ridiculous in today’s age, the Victorian era was the birthplace of basic forensics and criminology.