Evening star., 1902-01-27
Chief of Police Outlines Purposes Of
Bureau Of Identification.
WANTS ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION
Scheme to Be Pushed Before
House judiciary Committee.
NOT A DETECTIVE BUREAU


erted great effort toward having Congress
recognize and aid the bureau Of identitica-
cation, has prepared a statement covering
the subject, which he has filed with the
congressional committees for their infor-
nation when the bill is considered
The proposed buseau will be considered
by the House judiciary committee to-
morrow, when Major Sylvester, Chief
Wilkie of the secret service and several
prominent police officials from other cities
will be present
Thls committee meeting bids fair to be
an important one, and the fate of the bill,
so far as the House is concerned. may be
there decided. Major Sylvesters state
ment is as follows:
Major SyIvester's Statement.
For the past several years there has
been maintained, by subscriptions of the
police departments of the principal cities
Of the United States, a central bureau of
criminal identification. In this bureau
measurements, photographs, descriptions
and records of such criminals as may have
come under the observation of the police
authorities have been carefully filed. At
any time any one of the subscribing de-
partmentS has had access to the measure
ments, photographs descriptions and rec
the co-subScribers for the purpose of as
certaining the identity and record of any
unknown criminal who may have been ap-
pretended by the officers Of such subscrib-
ing department.
''If the identity and record of any GRIM
fnal was established by consulting the ag-
gregate of photographs and records kept
In the bureau the police authorities every
where have had such information pub
lished to them, and the criminal. his or her
record, became general knowledge.
1.-The bureau has been maintained under
an annual private subscription amounting
have supported it and enjoyed it's privi-
legeS. This institution Is conducted under
the management of a board of governors
selected from the National Association of
Chiefs of Police of the United States, who
employ a capable clerk, or superintendent,
and assistant, who have a knowledge of
and who are familiar with the
system of measurements of criminals as
applied by the various police organizations
of the world.
1.-The method in use in this and foreign
countries, and which has been generally
adopted by police authorities. is known as
the Bertillon system of anthropometry. 1t
has been given universal approval by stu
dents of anthropology, and by the govern
ments and the public wherever it's work
ngs are known. In brief, it consists of the
systematic arrangement of cards, each one
Of which contains the front and profile
photograph of a criminal, with the metric
measurements of his body, head, arm, left
middle finger, left foot, color Of eyes, kind
ot n nose: shape of ear. complexion, teeth,
color of hair, marks on the body crimes |
when and where. and all known |
information pertaining to the criminal.
When correctly applied, and the appli- |
alton is simple, the new science is not only |
| safeguard to justice, but a protection to |
he innocent, and is based on the principle |
hat no two adult creatures are alike |
Used as 1t has been by the police on linn |
tod cnnIa IN, !, ,ir
strated it's usefulness in the Identification |
Of criminals who have been a second time
apprehended, and who have denied their |
IDENTIFY. 1t is in use in all Of the leading |
titles, and its cost is Insignificant
In New York state an act to facilitate |
he Identification of criminals became a |
aW April lS, 1900, and applies to all peni-
entiary prisoners and those confined In
ne Eimlra reformatory. Under it's opera
ions the state superintendent keeps the
measurements, records and
descriptions OF all prisoners confined in
'enal institutions. 1t Is in use in many
PRISONS OF the United States, where 1t is
egarded as a most important adjunct.
Purpose of Pending Measure.
The purpose of the pending measure is
o place duly authenticated police officer
# every city, village and town in the
United States in touch with a central
ource of criminal information, to which
|
ions or information concerning criminals
II crime.
1t contemplates the establishment, at
mall expense, of place where there shall |
e concentration of descriptions, meas
rements and pictures of criminals and in
concerning them gathered at
iome and abroad. and for the proper dis
emination of such information, either gen.
raIIy or specially, as may be warranted.
Whenever there is deserter from the
rmy or navy of the United States the no.
Ice authorities, to a limited number, are
urnished with descriptions Of such de-
erters.
Should prisoners escape from any one
I the United States prisons or state pris- |
ms, with his photograph printed and sent |
ut from the bureau to the authorities of
III counties cities and towns, with de-
criptions accompanying chances of escape
'ould be reduced to a minimum Escaned
rlmlnals range widely, and spare neither
fe nor property at such times profess
lonal thieves are constantly moving from
ne locality to another These thieves
lake circuits and become national charac-
ers, travelling and depredating here there
nd everywhere. Police records show that
ne professional burglar, confidence man,
heck worker and hotel thief is ALWAYS on |
he move, an enemy to society generally
throughout the country
Bureau Not n Detective Aeencv
1T Is not proposed that the bureau shall
e a detective agency, but q place where
he chief OF police of any city in the coun-
ry might send photograph, measurement
r description of certain arrested person.
;ith the request that he be identified
hould the identical photograph. MEASURE
lent or description be found among the
housands which will readily be contribut- |
d by police authorities from all sources
ne character is no longer unknown to the
lquirer and authorities everywhere eniov
ne benefits of the knowledge thus obtain
i.
LAS president of the National AssocIa.
on OF Chiefs of Police. 1 am prepared to |
-ate that If the bureau Is established pho
graphs, measurements, descriptions and
formation of criminals at home and
broad will afford valuable means of af- |
'rding protection to government officials
nd institutions and to persons and prop
'ty throughout the country.
The National Association of Chiefs of
olice of the United States will have with
lem In annual meeting in May next repre-
,ntative police officials from the principal
ties of the world. with view Of estab-
shlng closer relationship, personally and
fieially. That there may obtain a clearer |
nd more elaborate understanding of crimf-
ais and criminal conditions it is desira- |
e that such reciprocal relations be estab-
shed as Will rebound to the benefit of the
2nntry In many ways, and 1t will be un- {
,rtunate indeed If the United States can {