What was highlighted as an ineffectiveness of Bertillon measurements?

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The ineffectiveness of Bertillon measurements, which involved a series of physical measurements and descriptions of a person's body, was notably highlighted in the West Case. This particular case illustrated how the Bertillon system could fail because it was based on the assumption that physical dimensions of individuals would be unique and consistent over time. However, in practice, variations such as age, growth, and physical changes could lead to inaccuracies, making it an unreliable method for identifying suspects.

The limitations of the Bertillon system became more apparent when it was challenged by the emergence of fingerprinting, which proved to be a much more reliable and consistent means of identification. The failure in the West Case demonstrated that relying solely on a combination of measurements was not sufficient for criminal investigations, which paved the way for more accurate forensic techniques. Thus, the West Case serves as a significant example of the shortcomings of this early form of identification in forensic science.

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