Bertillonage (Bertillon system or forensic anthropometry) a forensic technique developed by the Frenchman Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) in 1879: Alphonse Bertillon taking the measure of the left foot during the report of anthropometric reporting (Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) the anthropological technique of anthropometry to law enforcement creating an identification system based on physical measurements - Anthropometry was the first scientific system used by police to identify criminals - Before that time; criminals could only be identified by name or photograph) Engraving of the 19th century