The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-17

the ear finish the process. Thus a col
lection of 120, 600 signalments finally be-
comes divided into groups of dozen
each.
The Method of Identification.
Let it be supposed now that the police
wish to ascertain from the collection
whether criminal who has just been ar
rested and claims to have no judicial
antecedents has not previously been
classified under another name. To ac-
complish this it is necessary TO turn to
the division for the length of the head.
and then follow out the plan as already
set forth.
Thus, by one elimination after an
other, the final packet is reached which
ought to contain the signalment sought
for. If. of course, the person under ar
rest has ever been captured and meas
ured before.
No character presents at the same
time more immuta5ility in the indi-
viduaI and more variability from one
person to another. The rigorous CLASH
f1cation of which its description is sus-
ceptible gives it a signaIetic value
equal to that of the best measurements.
Therefore the descriptive information
is highly important factor in the sys-
tenn OF Identification For example, If
the color of the eye from the signaletic
point of view has not hitherto been
more generally recognized. this should
be attributed to the absence of a ra-
tional notation and to the confusion
which they followed.
The analytical method has proven a
source of hard study, and is conceded
to be complicated and rather difficult to
grasp. In spite of this, it can be mas
tered with careful thought without oral
teaching, and merely by the study of
theoretical instructions
An important feature of fndentifca-
ton that has not yet been mentioned is
the method of keeping record of local
criminals. With the photographs of
noted rogues are .flled not only the rec
ord in each case, but all the newspaper
clippings and other information reIat-
ing to them.
This information is filed away in
cabinet under the name of the prisoner,
as he is registered on the Washington
records. The usefulness of 1t is mani
fest II affords means of not only
identifying the suspect, but also of
bringing 20 light his past history
Many Noted Criminals Pictured.
In the local gallery are filed the pic
lures of many famous, or Infamous.
thieves of national reputation. OF
course, it is purely local bureau, and
contains the pictures of only those who
operated in Washington or had some as
ISOLATION with the District
In conspicuous part of the rogues'
gallery, in the detective office, of which
a picture appears on this page, is the
photograph of Albert Thompson, a no
torious pennyweight thief. who was re-
Gently sentenced here to serve two years
in prison. He is known throughout the
country, and has practiced in many
cities.
Side by side are the pictures of Sam
uel and Frederick Ingley, who invented
a unique scheme for fleeing the trac-
ton companies of Washington The
men are brothers, and natives of Eng
4oIiA' i]Ny had 1UU,UUU car IlCK-
cts printed, and sold them as genuine
to passengers, one of the brothers hav-
ing secured employment as a conduc-
tor. The fraud was finally unearthed,
and the men were arrested The coun-
terfeit tickets were found in their home
in Maryland.
These are only a few of the large
of criminals whose photographs
grace the gallery. 1t is a rare collec-
tion, and one calculated to brighten the
timd by even a glance.
The work of identification is one of
the most important parts of the Police
Department. Those who assist Major
Sylvester. besides the Detective Bureau.
are Everett Philips and George w.
Johnson.