Printed: 2024-11-30
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).
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