What is the identification system also known as Bertillonage?

The identification system known as Bertillonage is based on anthropometry, which involves measuring various physical dimensions of the human body. Developed by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century, this method was one of the first systematic approaches to personal identification based on physical characteristics. It included measurements of height, head circumference, length of the arms, and other dimensions to create a unique profile for individuals. This system was significant in the history of forensic identification, as it laid the groundwork for more advanced techniques such as fingerprinting.

While fingerprinting, DNA profiling, and facial recognition are all modern identification methods, they do not relate to Bertillonage itself. Bertillonage was specifically an anthropometric method, focusing on physical measurements rather than unique biological markers or biometric characteristics.