Reviving the Art of Mug Shots: A Historical Perspective
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Chapter 1: The Evolution of Mug Shots
In the early era of photography, certain police departments recognized the potential of this new medium, leading to the creation of the mug shot.
He stands poised, weight shifted to his back foot, exuding a relaxed and steady demeanor. His jacket and vest are unfastened, revealing a tie tucked neatly into his shirt. His gaze drifts as if he has spotted something amusing, yet it’s evident he is aware of the camera. His expression suggests a nonchalance about his predicament. This moment captures W. Cahill in the winter of 1923, New South Wales, Australia.
"This is merely a minor inconvenience," his posture seems to convey. "I’ll be out of here before you can say, 'Bob's your uncle.'"
William Cahill, 1923, New South Wales, Australia. Source: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive
The courtyard of the Sydney police station in the early 20th century provides an abundance of natural light, flattering the subject with its soft illumination. The large-format camera, utilizing a substantial glass plate negative, presents remarkable clarity, enhanced by a gentle softness that contrasts sharply with today’s hyper-sharp digital images.
In another photograph, you can see striking, ice-blue eyes, even in black and white. In this full-length image, he leans casually against a chair, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, dressed in a suit and vest but without a tie. He appears unfazed, even irritated by the interruption, donning a soft wool cap and glaring at the lens, almost daring the observer to judge him.
Today, one might refer to this look as "Blue Steel."
Arthur Caddy, 1929, New South Wales, Australia. Source: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive
Recently, former game show host and failed casino mogul Donald J. Trump, alongside 18 other alleged co-conspirators, was processed at Fulton County, Georgia's notorious Rice Street Jail due to charges linked to their purported attempt to unlawfully alter the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
As per standard procedure, each of the 19 defendants underwent the usual jail processing, which included fingerprinting and having a mug shot taken. Most of the defendants arranged their release terms, including bail, prior to processing, thus avoiding a formal bail hearing.
Mr. Trump was in and out in a mere twenty minutes—indicative of the preferential treatment he likely received, despite the media frenzy surrounding his arrest and the assurances that he would be treated like any other defendant. This marked Trump's fourth felony indictment in a short span of months, yet it was the first instance where he faced the indignity of a mug shot. He scowled at the camera, striving to project an image of defiant confidence, but instead resembled a character from a Stanley Kubrick film.
Donald Trump, 2023, Fulton County Sheriff's Department.
This mug shot, being that of a former president, is without precedent in American history, yet it stands as just another testament to the numerous transgressions committed by the least principled individual to ever occupy the nation’s highest office. As a mug shot, it holds a neutral position—neither favorable nor unfavorable. It serves merely as a marker, offering nothing new about the man or the situation.
Conversely, this collection of images—a modern-day Rogue's Gallery—serves as a stark reminder of how the criminal justice system has historically used mug shots to cast suspicion on those unfortunate enough to be arrested. The poor image quality, glaring lighting, unfortunate angles, and the degraded digital representation strip away the humanity of the subjects.
However, this wasn't always the case.
Chapter 2: The Historical Roots of Mug Shots
The early use of photography was often focused on capturing images of criminals, alive or deceased, as well as the aftermath of battlefields. These images had a certain gritty allure, captivating the public's imagination despite their morbid nature.
The modern mug shot, featuring both a frontal portrait and a profile, was pioneered by a French officer named Alphonse Bertillon. His system, known as the Bertillon System, involved meticulous anthropometric measurements:
- Head length
- Head breadth
- Middle finger length
- Left foot length
- Cubit length (from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger).
These metrics were documented alongside the two photographs on a card, facilitating the tracking of suspects and repeat offenders. Although fingerprints eventually replaced these measurements as the primary identification method, the mug shot endured.
As early as 1841, French authorities began creating daguerreotypes for prisoner identification, but the oldest surviving mug shot dates back to 1843 from the Belgian police. Bertillon also standardized crime scene photography, using a large tripod-mounted camera to capture images directly above the body and its surroundings.
By the 1850s, police departments in Europe, North America, and Australia adopted photography for cataloging individuals arrested for crimes ranging from minor theft to serious offenses. In 1958, the New York Police Department established a "Rogue's Gallery" intended to familiarize the public with local criminals, though many criticized it as mere Victorian voyeurism.
In the early 20th century, Clara Smith, a photographer from Northern California more accustomed to weddings and family portraits, began taking mug shots for local law enforcement. From 1901 to 1908, she captured images of numerous suspects with remarkable detail and beauty. In keeping with the era's practices, she inscribed the suspect's name and alleged crime directly onto the negative.
Despite the artistic quality of her work, the subjects often appeared disheartened and disillusioned—lacking the self-assuredness seen in other contemporaneous images. Northern California during this period was challenging, and the photographs reflect that struggle.
Northern California, 1900s. Photographer: Clara Smith.
At the same time, on the opposite side of the globe, a police chief in New South Wales, Australia, began to embrace innovative technologies to enhance law enforcement. Although the photographers involved remain unidentified, the preserved images from this era capture a distinct moment in time. Unlike the more rigid portraits of Bertillon or Smith, the Sydney police photographs possess a casual, expressive quality, reminiscent of modern portraiture.
The Australian mug shots deviate from the norm through their artistic flair while still adhering to a strategy of capturing closer images of subjects without hats, often accompanied by full-length portraits that showcase the individual's stature. These standing images frequently depict the subject in a relaxed manner, sometimes posing, but often appearing to simply await their release, occasionally holding a hand-rolled cigarette.
Not only were the suspects permitted to choose their poses, but they were also encouraged to express themselves authentically.
New South Wales, Australia. Source: NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive.
Moving Away from the Mug Shot
With advancements in criminology—first through fingerprinting and later DNA analysis—the significance of mug shots as identification tools has diminished. Some police departments have even ceased to make mug shots public, opting to keep them on file instead.
Critics argue that mug shots can unfairly shape public perception, particularly perpetuating harmful stereotypes about racial minorities being more prone to criminal behavior. Consequently, many media outlets have curtailed the routine publication of mug shots, doing so primarily when it pertains to public safety, such as in the pursuit of dangerous fugitives.
It seems unlikely that we will revert to the artistry of earlier mug shots crafted by skilled photographers. Instead, it is more probable that we will eventually replace them entirely with advanced biometric scanners. Yet, for the moment, visual identification remains a primary method for law enforcement seeking public assistance in locating individuals.
This reflects a broader trend toward utilitarianism in image capture, whether stills or motion. The artistry once inherent in photography and filmmaking has largely faded away, replaced by digital techniques that obscure the true value of the medium.
Calvin "Snoop Dog" Cordozar Broadus Jr., LAPD.
When examining mug shots from the early 20th century, the humanity of the subjects remains palpable. They may have lost their freedom temporarily, but their dignity persists.
In stark contrast, modern mug shots, characterized by poor image quality, harsh lighting, and a synthetic feel, seem designed to dehumanize the subject entirely. They might as well bear a stamp reading "guilty."
Not all advancements are improvements. Sometimes, the traditional methods, albeit risky, labor-intensive, and costly, yield superior outcomes. As a society increasingly defined by disposability and digitalization, we risk losing the enduring value of artistry and beauty.
I whimsically suggested recently that I should propose to my local police department the idea of outsourcing their mug shots to me. I could establish a modest studio within the precinct, rekindling the artistic legacy of New South Wales and perhaps restoring a touch of humanity to the criminal justice system.
We could do worse.
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