Description and photographs of convicted persons, book and folio series - South Australian Police Department (GRG5/58)

This series contains volumes of description sheets of convicted persons, most with photographs. The volumes record both male and female convicted persons. The purpose of the books was to record appearances in case of reoffending.

Multiple copies of each photograph were produced for including in the interstate returns, for Adelaide Gaol and Yatala Labour Prison and for the book and Cabinet in Detective Office (1). Photographs were pasted into these books and particulars of prisoner recorded.

Information recorded includes name, photo number, native place, year of birth, year of arrival in South Australia and name of ship, from where, religion, whether the convicted person could read and write, height, build, weight, complexion, hair colour, eye colour, occupation, special features and marks, finger print classification and criminal history. In many cases the photographer also included sketches of tattoos.

This series began in 1925 when the photographs begin to be arranged by a volume and folio numbering sequence. For the earlier sequentially numbered photographs see GRS 18642.

Arranged by volume and folio number.

(1) GRG5/2 PCO 670/1895