Apparently, we can trace the origins of the mugshot back to France. Parisian police were one of the earliest adopters of photography when it was made available to the public in 1839, quickly realizing that the technology could be used to catch repeat offenders. It was also a Frenchman named Alphonse Bertillon who created the standard mugshot format we know today: a head-on and profile shot. However, his included extra details like foot and ear sizes.
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Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
