Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-07-18
FACES OF CRIMINALS.
Inspector Byrnes Discards the Sch
ence of Physiognomy.

phia Times.
am moved TO smile when l hear CT
men who could not have met one-tenth
as many people as | have. or under
such various and peculiar circumstan-
ces, asserting that they understand
human nature. | doubt ii even one
man is thoroughly understood by any
body, least of all by himself For the
purpose of my business, long exper-
fence in dealing with men and womeo is
of incalculable value; it enables the de-
tectives to judge quickly concerning
the individuals and acquaints him with
many general characteristics OF the
human family; but after all this Ualua-
BILE experience teaches one most impop-
tant lesson-that it will never do ITO
Jump to conclusions on appearances.
1t leads the detective TO distrust all
CONGRATULATIONS, as rules for discover
ing a mans tendencies, all thaE so
called scince, physiognomy, and to de-
pend solely upon facts and evidence,
meaning by the latter term things that
will hold good in a law court.
1t il true that the cast OF a rnfn S
features may be OF service, and that
no detective will examine a supposed
criminal with his eyes shut; but ply
siognomy is merely factOr in the
work, not guide to it. II all men
were savages, if they grew from in
fancy to manhood and old age with no
artificial influences to bend their ma
lures, physiognomy 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 modities
the lines of the face to a remarkable
degree. The growth of intelligence
luparts not only II new, softened ex-
preston to the face, but actually
changes its appearance TO an extent
that will inevitably throw the rules OF
physiognomy into confusion. Not that
q crooked nose may become straight,
or q 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
forehead, and effect other changes OF u
similar nature.
While the lines may be modified as d
the nature refined, the brutal or crimi-
nal tendencies are not, unhappily
eradicated. They may lie dormant
throughout a lifetime, and they may
break out, if the provocation arises, az
any moment. If this happens the
criminal is a hard case for the detec-
tives. His education has taught him
some things that his less fortunate
brother in the dives can make avail
able. 1t sometimes happens that vici-
Gus tendencies remain dormant for
generations, during which the lines of
mans face have been subject TO con-
slant 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 manhood marked criminal
and can be picked out at sight. just
what direction his nature takes, how
ever, whether TO burglary, swindling,
murder, RIGHTEOUSNESS or petty thiev-
ing, can not be determined with ac-
curacy at a glance.
j have said that physiognomv may
be regarded as factor in Grimm ii de-
tecting. Even then it must be applied
with caution, and never be depended
on without evidence. 1t is good plan
to get evidence first and then back it
up, if you like the diversion, with an
analysis of the features of the crimi-
nal In dealing with suspects | try TO
get hints OF their character by observ-
ing the mouth, the eyes, jaws and ears.
From the mouth q fair estimate may be
obtained of the subjects character as
TO determination or weak will power,
brute coura &c or timidity, chastity or
RIGHTEOUSNESS, generosity or selfish
ness, cruelty or kindness.
1t will be observed that this does not
go so far as to make suspect fatty a
criminal or honest man; it simply
suggests his TENDENCIES. In seeking TO
determine whether u person is telling
the truth | depend good deal upon the
eyes; not, however, upon their general
appearance, for the most evil-eyed per-
son in the world may tell the trutl at
times, and some Of the best Of men may
prevaricate upon occasions Of great
temptation. 1t is rather the action of
the eyes that tells the secret. | try to
place the person who Is in question so
that the light shines fully into his face.
Then l can see the pupils, and if they
waver or contract more than the light
would call for l feel pretty confident
that | am dealing with a liar. 1t is
practically impossible to control the
pupil. One whose eyes do not waver
when he is deceiving detective usual
ly betrays himself by the very effort,
which gives to his face an appearance
of over-confidence, and his assumption
of innocent candor becomes calm
stare.
There is not great deal to be learned
from an inspection OF the jaws and
ears, but | have noticed that heavy
wide jaws usually go with small ears
that lay close to the he'd. Criminals
Of this class are generally desperate
characters, hard TO handle, who are
! little amenable to reason, and appreci-
ate only the argument OF force. On
the other hand. men with lantern Jaws
and nappy ears present little difficulty.
A striking proof of the uncertainty
OF physiognOmy in determining a