Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1890-11-05
FACES OF CRIMINALS.
Inspector Byrnes Disoards the Sci
ence Of Physiognomy. ~
What Features Disclose How to Study
the Eyes-Chsraoteristics of tho Mouth
jaws and Ears-The Deceptiveness
OF Appearances.

/ ignorance, O1SeENeS Inspector IUDud9
Byrnes, OF New York, in The Philadelphia
Times
| I am moved to smile when hear of men
who can not have met one-tenth 3 many
people as have, or under such various and
peculiar circumstances, asserting that they
understand human nature. doubt If 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 incacula-
BILE value; it enables the deceive to judge
quickly concerning the individuals and ac-
quaiuts him with many general character
isties Of the human family bu after all
this valuable experience teaches one most
important lesson-th + it will never do TO
Jump to conclusions on appearances. 1t
leads the de. ective t. distrust all general
kations, all rules for discovering mans
tendencies, all that so. called science, physi-
ognomy, and TO depend solely upon facts
aud evidence, meaning by the latter term
things that will hold good in law court.
1t IL true that the cast Of mans features
may BIO Of service, and that 10 detective will
examine suppos ed criminal with his eyes
shut; but physiognomy ID mercy a factorin
the work, OF guide TO 1t. II all men wero
savages, IL they grew from infancy to man.
hood aud old age with no artificial iaflu-
ences to bend their natures, pbysiognomy
might be reduced to an exact science. /
do not assert that it could, but admit that
1t might In the complex civilization of
to-day it never can be. For education mod
lies the lines Of the face to o remarkable
degree. The growth of intelligence i'm
parts not only new, softencd expression
to the face, but actually changes its ap-
pearance to an extent that will inevitably
throw the rules of physioglomy into con-
fusion. Not that crooked nose may be-
come straight, or large mouth SMALL but
wise habits and the desire 10 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.
While the lines may be modified and the
nature refined, the brutal or criminal ten
denotes are not, unhappiiy, eradicated.
They HAY lie dormant throughout life
timo, and they may break out, if The provo
cation ari es, at any moment. X this hap
pens the criminals 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
AS-hdAh wi manu- AOi 6ChCi uAipbos NSuilbS
which the lines Of a mans facs 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 and
can be picked out at sight just what direc-
ton his nature takes, however, whether to
burglary, swindling, murder, Righteousness
or petty thieving, can not be determined
with accuracy at a glance.
have said that physiognomy may BIO re-
garded as factor in criminal detecting.
Eve . then it must be applied with caution,
and never lie depended on wi hout evidence.
II is good plan to get evidence first and
then back it up, il you like the diversion,
with Oh analysis Of the features of
the CRIMINAL. In dealing with sus-
pects try to get hints OF their character
by observing tho mouth, the eyes, Jaws aud
cars. From the mouth fair estimate may
be obtained of the subjects character as to
determination or weak will power, brute
courage or timldity, chastity or hcentous-
ness, gene osity or selfshness, cruelty or
kindness.
II will be observed thai this does not go
80 far as TO make a suspect fatty a criminal
or honest man; it simply suggests his ten
denotes. In seeking to determine whether
person Ia telling the truth depend a good
deal upon the eyes; no., however, upon their
general appearance, Tor the most evi-eyed
person III the world may tel tho truth at
times, and some OF the best of men may
prevaricate upon occasions of great tempta-
zion. 1t is rather the action OF the eyes that
tells the secret. l try to place the person
who Is in question so that tho light shines
fully into his face. Then csn see the pupils
md II they wavor or contract moro than
tho light would call for feel pretty conf
dent that l am dealing with liar. 1t Is
practically impossible to control tho pupil.
One whose eyes do not WAIVER when he is
deceivipg a detective usually botrays him
self by the very effort, which gives to his
face an appearance of over-contidence, and
his assumption Of innocent candor becomes
q calm stare.
There is not great deal to be learned
from an inspection of the jaws and ears, but
l have noticed that heavy, wide jaws usually
go with small ears that lie close to the head.
Criminals of this class are generally desper-
ate characters, hard to handle, who are lit
tie amenable TO reason, and appreciate only
the argument of force On the other hand,
men with lantern jaws and fappy cars pre-
sent little difficulty.
A striking proof Of the uncertainty OF
in determining mans char
acter, to say nothing of the nature Of
his deeds, may be seen at q glance at the
rogue's gallery in this city. Three pictures
were placed before visitor one day. He
knew from the circumstances that they
were criminals. Oae he fixed upon unhesi
-.