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

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  The field of ergonomics employs anthropometry to optimize human interaction with equipment and workplaces.

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  A Bertillon record for Francis Galton, from a visit to Bertillon's laboratory in 1893

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  Example insole (in-shoe) foot pressure measurement device

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  An early set of finger- and handprints by Sir William Herschel, 2nd Baronet (1833–1917)

• Iris recognition system based on pattern matching

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  2009 photo showing a man having a retinal scan taken by a U.S. Army soldier

References

• Burnett, “Introduction to Human factors, Human anatomy and Biomechanics”. Web.10 Dec.2011
• "Anthropometry." Ergonomics4schools. Web. 10 Dec. 2011
• Webster's Online Dictionary Archived 2012-08-05 at the Wayback Machine - Web. 11 Dec. 2011