Anthropometry

Anthropometry is the study of measurement and proportions of the human body.

Alphonse Bertillon and Criminology

Anthropometry was first created by Alphonse Bertillon (April 24, 1853 – February 13, 1914). He was born in Paris, France. When he became a police officer, he created Anthropometry so that criminals could be easily identified. The system helped the police to get through many criminal records quicker. Having produced a set of characteristics of criminals, it became easier for the police to identify offenders.

Anthropometric measurements

The system involves 10 measurements:

Height
Stretch
Bust
Head length (crown to forehead)
Head width (temple to temple)
Cheek width
Ear length (both left and right)
Middle finger
Foot length
Cubit (length from elbow to middle finger)

Anthropometry Media

The field of ergonomics employs anthropometry to optimize human interaction with equipment and workplaces.
A Bertillon record for Francis Galton, from a visit to Bertillon's laboratory in 1893
Example insole (in-shoe) foot pressure measurement device
An early set of finger- and handprints by Sir William Herschel, 2nd Baronet (1833–1917)
Iris recognition system based on pattern matching
2009 photo showing a man having a retinal scan taken by a U.S. Army soldier