The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-22
SPACE FOR
MANY RECORDS
Two Immense Cabinets Add
ed to Identification Bureau.
CAPABLE hen PUT IN CHARGE
Complete Details of the Bodily and
Facial Formation of All Crimi-
nails and Suspected Persons.

The equipment OF the local bureau OF
Identification at Police Headquarters has
been completed by the receipt of two i'm
mense cabinets capable Of containing the
records Of 5000 persons
The cabinets were made by a Rochester
firm and are Of handsome Quartcred-oak.
They arc more complete and finer pieces
OF furniture than those in use in the
national bureau that has just been re
moved here from Chicago
IL is the aim Of Major Sylvester 20
make the local bureau one Of the most
complete in the country and with this
in view IFS entire equipment is of the
latest and most improved pattern. Two
OF the most capable men in the depart
mCnt have already been detailed for
duty in connection with ne work Of the
bureau and have attacked the herculean
task Of asserting and bringing into shape
the material that has been the accumu
lation q wears
Quick work in Photography.
Private George V. johnson has been
provided with a most excellent photo
graphic equipment and has made rapid
progress in the work of picture taking
within the past few months. He has sue
cecded IN taking pictures, developing
them, printing. toning, and mounting
them within less than two hours after
the receipt Of the order and having the
completed work in the hands Of all Of
the detectives and on the way to all Of
the precincts for the information Of the
entire department.
Mr.. 2. p Phillips, who has had a vast
experience at Police Headquarters, in the
Sanitary Omce, and as Pawn Inspector,
has been placed in charge Of the records
OF the bureau. To him principally viii
fall the duty Of keeping the records and
caring for the cabinets.
When the bureau is in complete work
ing order 10 viii be possible for Il not
only 10 furnish the record OF any Grim
inEl instantly on the receipt OF his name
or alias, but. with the Bertillon meas
urements. TO name with unerring Gccur-
- acy the person whose measurements are
given.
Simple In Operation.
The system that makes this possible is
most simple In operation and has proved
Itself OF inestimable value TO the various
poli;e departments of this country and
abroad
II Is based upon the theory that when
once the bones Of an adult have attained
their growth they cannot vary thereafter
Upon the arrest Of any person charged
with a serious crime, or even one whose
antecedents or disposition leads the off,
GERS 10 believe that he may be wanted
again, his photograph is taken showing
both the side and front f &c.
Formerly fl was the practice 10 take
both OF these pictures in the bare head
but going upon the practical fact that the
officer is nine times out Of ten compelled
TO pick out the crook while the latter Is
mingling in the crowded streets, with his
hat on the local department several years
ago instituted the practice OF taking the
front-fsce view with the hat on. thereby
securing a picture Of the man as he is
likely 10 appear on the street
Measurement Of Bones.
In addition TO this. accurate measure
ments are made Of the size OF ;he head.
the length OF the arms, trunk, feet, hands.
fingers. and other bony portions Of the
body These are carefully filed away on a
system Ct indexed cards. Having this in
eek available in cabinet OF novel con-
strUctiCn. upon the receipt Of the meas
urements az any person whom IL is de-
sired 10 identity the record clerk first re-
fers TO the head measurements, which are
divided into three claSses-!arge. medium.
and small IL enc OF these classes he will
Ind the measure corresponding with that
Of the person whose identity be g seeking
il the record OF that person is in the de-
pertmcnt.
There may be @ hundred heads Of the
same size. but reference is then made
separately TO the various other portions
Of the bodT. and 90 has never been known
for the complete measurement Of all the
bones Of any one individual 10 CORE
spond with those OF any other person
The head. arm. and foot may agree but
the finger measurements the reach Of the
arms, or something else is sure 20 show
some variation.
Clippings From Newspapers.
The photograph is then picked out and
the complete record Of the individual Sc
cured from another cabinet. This record
cabinet contains not only the official rec
ord Of the department and such other
departments as have had occasion TO ar
rest the accused At any time but clip
pings from all Of tho papers Of the locality
where the various crimes have been com
uitted.