Aug 12, 2010: Prison Tattoos

xoxoxoBruce · 08-12-2010, 12:14 AM

Tattoos are written communication, they convey a message from the wearer, especially tattoos that are visible wearing normal clothing. Sometimes the message is clear, sometimes not, because like writing, there are different "languages" in tattoos. Police and criminologist have long tried to decipher criminal and gang tattoos... even building libraries.

Before cheap cameras and computers, they just saved the tattoos.

Quote:

The tattoo collection at the Department of Forensic Medicine at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland consists of 60 objects preserved in formaldehyde, a method devised by one of the experts employed by the Department at the turn of 20th century.
The tattoos were collected from the prisoners of the nearby state penitentiary on Montelupich Street as well as from the deceased on whom autopsies were performed.
The majority of the prison tattoos represent connections between the convicts. Besides gestures and mimics it is a kind of secret code – revealing why 'informative' tattoos appeared on uncovered body parts: face, neck or arms.
The collection was created with a view to deciphering the code – among prisoners known as a 'pattern language'. By looking closely at the prisoners' tattoos, their traits, temper, past, place of residence or the criminal group in which they were involved could be determined.

I suppose they had checked off "Tattoo Donor" on their driver's licenses.
link

Scriveyn · 08-12-2010, 02:15 AM

Just hope the original owners weren't polished off to collect those.

Gravdigr · 08-12-2010, 03:19 AM

Well, I sure hope they didn't remove the tats while the prisoners were still alive.

Rhianne · 08-12-2010, 03:59 AM

I visited Surgeons' Hall, a medical museum in Edinburgh, a few weeks back with my daughter, and among the collection of specimens there were a few jars with tattoos just like the ones above plus a large one of a whole back (it may have been a chest...). Mind you, there were some far less attractive specimens on display.

spudcon · 08-12-2010, 06:22 AM

I wonder if they figured out the code for the "Fuck You" tattoo?

lupin..the..3rd · 08-12-2010, 06:53 AM

Law enforcement does the same thing today. Only with the help of modern technology (digital camera) instead of a scalpel. Any time a prisoner is booked by any federal agency, even just to be transferred from one prison to anther, part of their booking record contains photographs of all tattoo's, as well as prominent scars and other identifying marks. Not a new concept by any means. Just a less messy way of collecting and cataloging them these days.

HungLikeJesus · 08-12-2010, 07:06 AM

We need these translated from the original Polish.

classicman · 08-12-2010, 08:08 AM

Thank _ _ _ its not Friday. ewwwwwww

monster · 08-12-2010, 02:01 PM

what? They're already pickled -tuck in!

Shawnee123 · 08-12-2010, 02:01 PM

They look almost as bad as most of the tattoos I see these days.

monster · 08-12-2010, 02:07 PM

Maybe you should start charging more.

What?

Shawnee123 · 08-12-2010, 02:11 PM

It costs money to be an individual, you know.

Crimson Ghost · 08-12-2010, 05:56 PM

Yup.

You can be a unique individual, just like everyone else.

jinx · 08-12-2010, 06:02 PM

Much more interesting than the prison wallet collection...

sweetwater · 08-12-2010, 08:58 PM

You'd think with all that time to plan an elegant and handsome design the tattoos might demonstrate some degree of artistic endeavor, wouldn't you?

08-12-2010, 03:19 AM	#3
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	Well, I sure hope they didn't remove the tats while the prisoners were still alive. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

08-12-2010, 06:22 AM	#5
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	I wonder if they figured out the code for the "Fuck You" tattoo? __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

08-12-2010, 07:06 AM	#7
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	We need these translated from the original Polish. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

08-12-2010, 08:08 AM	#8
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Thank _ _ _ its not Friday. ewwwwwww __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

08-12-2010, 02:01 PM	#9
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	what? They're already pickled -tuck in! __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

08-12-2010, 02:15 AM	#2
Scriveyn amnesic-confabulatory opsimath Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Between my ears Posts: 739	Just hope the original owners weren't polished off to collect those.

08-12-2010, 03:59 AM	#4
Rhianne Nearly done. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Teetering on the edge. Posts: 1,134	I visited Surgeons' Hall, a medical museum in Edinburgh, a few weeks back with my daughter, and among the collection of specimens there were a few jars with tattoos just like the ones above plus a large one of a whole back (it may have been a chest...). Mind you, there were some far less attractive specimens on display.

08-12-2010, 06:53 AM	#6
lupin..the..3rd Belt Conveyor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Meijersville Posts: 68	Law enforcement does the same thing today. Only with the help of modern technology (digital camera) instead of a scalpel. Any time a prisoner is booked by any federal agency, even just to be transferred from one prison to anther, part of their booking record contains photographs of all tattoo's, as well as prominent scars and other identifying marks. Not a new concept by any means. Just a less messy way of collecting and cataloging them these days.

08-12-2010, 02:01 PM	#10
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	They look almost as bad as most of the tattoos I see these days. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

08-12-2010, 02:07 PM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Maybe you should start charging more. What? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

08-12-2010, 02:11 PM	#12
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	It costs money to be an individual, you know. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

08-12-2010, 05:56 PM	#13
Crimson Ghost Larger than life and twice as ugly. Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,264	Yup. You can be a unique individual, just like everyone else. __________________ We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark. I have no knowledge of the events which you are describing, and if I did have knowledge of them, I would be unable to discuss them with you now or at any future period. Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

08-12-2010, 06:02 PM	#14
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Much more interesting than the prison wallet collection... __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

08-12-2010, 08:58 PM	#15
sweetwater lives inside a Mobius strip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,120	You'd think with all that time to plan an elegant and handsome design the tattoos might demonstrate some degree of artistic endeavor, wouldn't you? __________________ I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque! - Bugs Bunny

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