Gillet, Alfred

Identity

Category

Person (Male)

Alternative name or descriptor

Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules

Status

  • Professional

Details

Life dates

Brussels, 1865 - Brussels - Saint-Gilles, 1923

Activity

1901 - 1914 > Bruxelles - Saint-Gilles, Rue de Moscou, 8
Alfred Pierre Nicolas Joseph, ° 8.12.1865; + 23.9.1923. Forensic photographer for the Brussels public prosecutor's office, presumably succeeding Charles Thiel on the latter's death in 1902. Instituted scientific methods in forensic photography in Brussels inspired by the practices of Alphonse Bertillon's service in Paris, including the description of individuals based on a set of physical measurements (biometrics) and standard posed portraits for law enforcement. "Initiated in Paris, he set about organising in Brussels an identification bureau with file cards, based on the Bertillon system. Monsieur Gillet was a teacher at the school of criminology and forensic policing in Brussels and director of the forensic photography laboratory at the [Brussels] law courts" (Le Peuple, 26.9.1923).
Took views of damaged buildings in cases of suspected arson in February 1903 and August 1910. At the instigation of the mayor of Brussels, Gillet gave a course to members of the police force: "A passion for anthropometry has driven Mr Gillet for a while. He has been to Paris to study the processes where the anthropometric services are well established. He has applied his knowledge in many situations for forensic surveys which he has made a speciality. He has just acquired from Paris a considerable number of photographic specimens to illustrate his demonstrations" (Le Soir, 27.7.1911).

Locations

1901 - 1914 > Bruxelles - Saint-Gilles, Rue de Moscou, 8

Exhibitions

Brussels, 1901.

Genres / subject matter

Techniques

Bibliography/Webography

Context

Affiliations

Management

Record source

DIRECTORY_1997#1891

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation/revision

SFJ revised 22.1.2018; revised 18.8.2019 & 24.10.2020 based on information supplied by M. Demaeght; MD revised 18.6.2020, 12.11.2020 & 31.10.2023

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