The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1889-12-28
FACES OF CRIMINALS.
Inspector Byrnes Discards the Sci.
ence of Physiognomy.
What Features Disclose-How to Study
the Eyes-Characteristics Of the Mouth
Jaws and Ears-The Deceptiveness
Of Appearances.
As,ssFf 88M


It is wise man who knows his own
ignorance, observes Inspector Thomas
Byrnes, of New York, in the Philadelphia
Times - ~ 's.~s-~~sssAs~~ =
am moved to smile when hear Of men
who can not have met one-tenth % many
people as have, or under such various and
peculiar circumstances, asserting that they
understand human nature l doubt IL even
one man Is thoroughly understood by any
body, least Of all by himself. For the pur-
poses of my business, long experience in
dealing with men and women is of incalcula-
BILE value; it enables the detective to judge
quickly concerning the individuals and &C
quaints him with many general character
istics of the human family; bu after all
this valuable experience teaches one most
important lesson-that it will never do to
jump to conclusions on appearances. 1t
leads the detective to distrust all general
izations, all rules for discovering mans
tendencies, all that so called science, physi-
ognomy, and to depend solely upon facts
and evidence, meaning by the latter term
things that will hold good in law court.
1t is true that the cast of mans features
may be of service, and that no detective will
examine suppos ed criminal with his eyes
shut; but physiognomy is merely factorin
the work, .ot q guide to 1t. Ii all men were
savages, if they grew from infancy to man
hood and old age with no artificial infiu-
ences to bend their natures, physognomy
might be reduced to an exact science.
do not assert that it could, but admit that
it might In the complex civilization OF
to-day it never can be. For education mod
ifies the lines Of the face to q remarkable
degree. The growth of intelligence i'm
parts not only a new, softened expression
to the face, but actually changes its APP
pearance to an extent that will inevitably
throw the rules of physiognomy into con-
fusion. Not that a crooked nose may be-
come straight, or large mouth small; but
wise habits and the desire to appear well
In the world may erase the ugly, vice-born
wrinkles about the eyes and on the fore
head, and effect other changes of similar
nature. ~-~s :. .S',ssps~o
While the lines may be modified and the
nature refined, the brutal or criminal ten
denotes are not, unhappily, eradicated.
They HAY lie dormant throughout life
time, and they may break out, If the provo
cation arises, at any moment. II this hap
pens the criminal is hard case for the de-
tectives. His education has taught him
some things that his less fortunate brother
in the dives can not make available. 1t
sometimes happens that vicious tendencies
remain dormant for generations, during
which the lines Of mans face have been
subject to constant improvement. In cases
however, when boy Of vicious parentage
grows up in vicious surroundings, where
his animal nature is given full swing, he
grows to man hood a marked criminal ant
can be picked out at sight. Just what direc
ton his nature takes, however, whether tt
burglary, swindling, murder, licentiousnes.
or petty thieving, can not be determined
with accuracy at glance. = =.
have said that physiognomy may be re
garded as factor in criminal detecting
Even then it must be applied with caution
and never be depended on without evidence
It is good plan to get evidence first an,
then back it up, il you like the diversion
with, an analysis Of the features o
the criminal. In dealing with sus
poets I try to get hints of their characte
by observing the mouth, the eyes, jaws an
ears. From the mouth fair estimate ma
be obtained of the subjects character as t
determination or weak will power, brut
courage or timidity, chastity or licentiou
ness, generosity or selishness, cruelty {
kindness. ,nSASsrsssS TkSI<,sate A-i.s.
It will be observed that this does not &
so far as to make suspect fatty crimin'
or honest man; it simply suggests his tel
denotes. In seeking to determine whethe
person is telling the truth depend goo
deal upon the eyes; not, however, upon the
general appearance, for the most evil-eye
person in the world may tell the truth {
times, and some Of the best Of men ma
prevaricate upon occasions of great tempt
ton. -. 1t is rather the action OF the eyes tn