The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-02
PHOTOGRAPHERS AS EVIDENCE.
Their Increasing Use In Courts %
Justice-Identifyfng Chinese.


Ever since its inception photography has
rendered valuable assistance to justice by
the popular nature OF the data II Is capable
of producing. One of i.s earliest services
various ''rogues galleries" scattered
throughout the country, where efforts were
being made to keep a record of portraits of
leading lawbreakers. Prior TO the advent
of photography likenesses of criminals, as
sketched by the artist and reproduced by
the wood engraver, offered but little aid TO
the officers of the law for purposes OF iden-
LITIGATION. The camera, however. capable
of catching each facial characteristic and
f.eeting expression, together with the ease
which ass its Of spH Ss
proved a most effectual help in the detec-
ton of criminals.
The United States government endeavored
for many years TO perfect system OF
identification by description merely In the
matter OF Chinese certificates. But so
many frauds Were perp s that at last
amendment of Nov. g. 1893. requiring every.
such certificate TO have attached to its face
the photograph of the person applying for
the same. This clause I'm the exclusion bill
was very distasteful TO the Chinese. who
fought Ii with great energy throughout the
country, but without avail.
When at last the Chinese found that they
must comply with the new regulation or
suffer deportation the photographers of the
Pacific coast could hardly meet the de-
mands or the excited Celestiais, all OF
whom had become very anxious TO be pho
tographed before the expiration of the time
limit. Certificate photographs are not re-
touched and any scar or other prominent
marking upon the face Is made conspic-
uous possible. TO aid Identification. The
effect OF the new law was most salutary.
and while frauds still occasionally at
! tempted they are rarely successful.
When the foregoing facts are taken into
| consideration IL is not at all surprising
/ that the camera is held in wholesome re-
spect by those who would seek 10 break or
| evade the law. This point was emphasized
last winter during the great Transfers
strike in Boston, where policemen riding
with the drivers found cameras more for
midable weapons than firearms would have
4 been. Somehow, when those bent mis-
chief realized that any act OF violence on
| their part would be duly recorded by the
/ all-seeing lenses, to be brought up against
them later, the very boldest among them
shrank from making demonstration.
Although the photograph has been used
| for years as a means of identification, II Is
still looked upon in many courts with a
! degree of suspicion, when submitted In
| the fact that Photographic negatives In the
hands of skillful manipulators are capable
| Of much doctoring and can readily be
| made to bear witness To untrut1s.
Yet realizing that all evidence IL open 10
! question and must be thoroughly siffed.
and trusting TO Photographic experts 10 un-
| earth attempted fraud, the photograph Is
dence more extensively each year.
Finding by experience that a well-taken.
untouched photograph bearing upon case
i'm point often makes valuable evidence,
many railroads. steamship companies and
other corporations are making IL a prac-
tice to keep cameras within easy reach OF
their employees TO be used when necessity
1