Lapointe. Nicolas, Céleste. 45 ans, né à Marbach (Alsace-Lorraine). Cordonnier. Anarchiste. 2/7/94. 1894

This photograph, taken by Alphonse Bertillon in 1894, is a mug shot of Nicolas Lapointe, a 45-year-old French anarchist and cobbler from Alsace-Lorraine. Bertillon was a pioneer in the development of anthropometry, a system of criminal identification based on body measurements. This photographic portrait was part of his groundbreaking work in forensic science. The image showcases the stark reality of criminal documentation in the late 19th century. Bertillon's method, known as the "Bertillonage" system, was widely adopted by law enforcement agencies worldwide and played a crucial role in the development of modern criminal identification practices.