Sure enough, when Mr. McClaughry referred to the formula derived from West’s Bertillon measurements, he located the file of one William West, whose measurements were practically identical and whose photograph appeared to be that of the new prisoner. The clerk, convinced that she was correct, collected Mr. West’s Bertillon measurements (the identification method used to identify prisoners up until this case) and dug through the archives of inmates.
Therefore, with more or less details, the story has been twisted and rewritten several times. According to some historical accounts, it was later revealed that the two were actually identical twin brothers. The two men were not related in any way, and law enforcement quickly realized that a more reliable method of identification was necessary. Because of these two men, you never have to worry about going to prison simply for sharing the same face and physical characteristics of another known criminal. The case of Will and William West changed the face of forensics. America’s first national fingerprint repository was established shortly afterwards. Meet Actress Niecy Nash’s New Wife, Kentucky AG Has Time To Speak At RNC But Not To Charge Breonna Taylor’s Killers, Black Celebrities Who Identify As Bisexual, Pansexual & More, https://ioneblackamericaweb.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/061616lkbhf1.mp3. The facial features of the Tell men were so strikingly similar and they even shared the same measurements under the Bertillon system, developed by French police officer Alphonse Bertillon based on the measurements of features. McClaughry, at the prison considerable confusion, because he was convinced he’d processed him two years previously. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
The Tragic Murder Of Flávia Mafra: Her Unborn Child Was Cut Out Of Her Womb! The use of fingerprints had actually begun in 1858 with Sir William James Herschel, Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in West Bengal, India, who asked locals to stamp their business contracts with their palms. The record clerk took a good look at mugshots and insisted that he had seen him before. John K. Ferrier, who met McClaughry at the St Louis World Fair in 1904 while he was guarding the Crown Jewels, which were on tour. To Mr. McClaughry’s surprise, the patterns bore no resemblance, both were totally different from each other. But Will West was not being coy about a previous visit to Leavenworth. Little Known Black History Fact: Will And William West.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The clerk was puzzled as he believed him to be William Tell, who he’d processed two years prior.
... Because of the flaws of the Bertillon method, Leavenworth and prisons from around the country began to move to the fingerprint identification model.
To get daily short stories, history bites and mystery updates, like us on. Fingerprinting soon became the standard method for identifying criminals. The Strange Story Of Will & William Wests: Here’s How The Case Of Will & William Wests Sparked The Use Of Fingerprints As Identification: Haunted Peyton Randolph House In Williamsburg, The Unsolved Disappearance Of Jennifer Kesse, Mexican Teenager Died From Stroke 'Caused By Love Bite From His Girlfriend'. How had his photo ended up in the files of the penitentiary? McClaughry, the records clerk, took his Bertillon measurements, compiled an archive file for the inmate, and informed him about the rules in the prison as well as the number of his cell. Submit. McClaughry’s recommendation was accepted. Although the West case proved that Bertillon's system was imperfect, it served the … Its pioneer was Scotland Yard’s Sgt. Enter your email address below to subscribe to our newsletter. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The method was … Copyright © Collective Lifestyle LA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Chandler. In 1903, a prisoner named Will West arrived at Leavenworth.
This bizarre story took place at the turn of the 20th century. Before that time, criminals could only be identified by name or photograph. However, he was telling the truth.
After being instructed on the technique, Mr. McClaughry introduced it to the Leavenworth Prison. He told the U.S prison officer how Scotland Yard had been using fingerprinting for the past three years and evangelized its accuracy. The ‘West Brothers Case’ highlighted the flaws in the Bertillon method and it wasn’t long before the U.S. authorities turned to fingerprinting. Social Media Week LA is Back June 12-13, 2019. Because of the flaws of the Bertillon method, Leavenworth and prisons from around the country began to move to the fingerprint identification model. There should be very few people in the identification field who do not know the story of Will (William) and William West, two inmates at Leavenworth Penitentiary, shortly after the turn of the 19th century.
Alphonse Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher who applied the anthropological technique of anthropometry to law enforcement creating an identification system based on physical measurements. "Despite the similarity of appearance, of names, and of their Bertillon measurements, the fingerprints of Will West and William West were completely different: an Inside Whorl of 11 ridges (Will) vs. an Invaded Loop with 18 ridges …
He knew the reluctance of criminals to admit past crimes. Subsequently, the fingerprints of Will West and William West were impressed and compared. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Mr. West had never been to Leavenworth, and was naturally perturbed.