You’ve undoubtedly heard of mugshots and even seen them on television. However, have you ever stopped to wonder where the practice of taking mugshots originated, why and how police use these photos, and whether you can view free mugshots for yourself? Keep reading to find the answers to each of these questions and so much more.

A mugshot is a photographic portrait of a person taken after they have been arrested. The term is usually used in reference to law enforcement photography, but can also be used in a more general sense to refer to any photograph of a person.

The History of Mugshots

Mugshots have been around for centuries, and their use has evolved over time. The first mugshots were taken in the 19th century, and they were used to identify criminals.

Mugshots have come a long way over the years. They have been used to identify criminals, people who have been arrested, people who have been convicted of a crime, and people who have been released from prison. They are an important part of the criminal justice system, and they play a crucial role in keeping our society safe.

Uses for Mugshots

The mugshot originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century. It was used as a means of identifying criminal suspects. The practice of taking mugshots gradually spread to the United States.

Mugshots are one of the most common ways that the police identify criminals. They are photographs of a person’s face that are taken when they are arrested. Mugshots are usually taken in a police station or jail. The police use the mugshots to find out who the person is and to see if they have been arrested before. The mugshot is then used to identify the person when they are brought before a judge.

Mugshots are often used in the news to identify criminals. For example, when there is a crime spree in a city, the police will release the mugshots of the suspects so that the public can help to find them. Mugshots are also used in court cases. Mugshots can be used to find out a lot of information about a person. For example, the police can use mugshots to see if a person has any past criminal convictions. Mugshots can also be used to see if a person is wanted by the police.

Finding Mugshots Online

Yes, you can find mugshots on the internet. In fact, there are several websites that are devoted solely to publishing mugshots and criminal records. Some of these websites allow you to search for mugshots by name or by city. Others allow you to view mugshots and arrest records for free, while others charge a fee for access to this information.

Mugshots can be a source of embarrassment for the person who is arrested. In some cases, the mugshot can be published in the local newspaper. In other cases, the mugshot may be posted on the internet.

Some people argue that mugshots should be abolished. They argue that the practice of taking mugshots is unconstitutional and that it violates the right to privacy. Others argue that mugshots are a valuable tool for law enforcement officials and that they should be maintained. They may argue that, if someone didn’t want their mugshot to become public record, they should not have broken the law.

Whatever the case, mugshots remain widely used in today’s criminal justice system, from the time a person is arrested onward. Mugshots identify someone who has been arrested and may be used years after an innocent person or someone who’s done their time is released.