Criminal record sheet
A page from a criminal record ledger compiled by the West Yorkshire police in 1901. The ledger contains portraits, personal details and criminal records of convicted criminals. This page is about William McCarthy from Halifax, who had a string of convictions for burglary.
More
A page from a criminal record ledger compiled by the West Yorkshire police in 1901.
The ledger contains portraits, personal details and criminal records of convicted criminals. This page is about William McCarthy from Halifax, who had a string of convictions for burglary.
The use of photography to record known criminals - the 'mug shot'- had been suggested as early as the 1840s. In 1871, the Prevention of Crime Act made it a legal requirement that all persons arrested for a crime must have their photographs taken.
- Materials:
- paper
- Object Number:
- 1991-5083/1
- type:
- photograph
- Image ©
- The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum