I just stumbled upon a pretty incredible "photo story" documenting a collection of tattoos found in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland. The images above are all drawn from the photo essay; below is an excerpt from the very interesting article which accompanies the images:
Preserving the Criminal Code
Photo Stories
Katarzyna MirczakThe 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.
In Poland, tattoos are common among criminals. Traditionally, they could be found on people who exhibited a tendency towards perverse behaviour: such as burglars, thieves, rapists and pimps. It was noticed that a significant percentage of tattooed people showed signs of personality disorders and aggressive behaviour. In the 1960s in Poland, getting a prison tattoo required special skills and criminal ambition – it was a kind of ennoblement, each tattoo in the criminal world was meaningful...
The entire photo story, with the full article and image collection (highly recommended!), can be found by clicking here; text and images by Katarzyna Mirczak as published on the Foto8 website.
PS: If you are interested in this topic, then you certainly won't want to miss our upcoming Observatory lecture "Morbid Ink: Field Notes on the Human Memorial Tattoo" with Dr. John Troyer, Deputy Director, Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath next Tuesday, July 20th. More on that event here.
- Chocolate Artistry [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- La Cabeza Circuitoide [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2010]
- Stuntkid: Anatomically Correct [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, This Saturday, April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, This Saturday, April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- Flat Surgery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2010]
- Job Opportunities at the Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, TONIGHT! April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Animal Body Worlds at the Neunkirchen Zoo, Saarland, Germany [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2010]
- Congress for Curious People: Lectures Begin Tomorrow Night at the Coney Island Museum! [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Job Opportunities at the Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Animal Body Worlds at the Neunkirchen Zoo, Saarland, Germany [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- "The Secret Museum" Exhibition Opening, Observatory, TONIGHT! April 10, 7-10 PM [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Anatomic Fashion Friday: Skeleton Bodysuit [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Diabetes Ads [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Anatomia del corpo humano [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- "The Brading Collection of Taxidermy, Waxworks, Costume and Similar Items," Duke's Auction House, Dorset, April 13th (Today!) [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Anatomy Pillow [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- A Brief History of Automata, An Illustrated Lecture and Demonstration by Mike Zohn, Obscura Antiques and Oddities, TONIGHT! Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- "The Brading Collection of Taxidermy, Waxworks, Costume and Similar Items," Duke's Auction House, Dorset, April 13th (Today!) [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- A Brief History of Automata, An Illustrated Lecture and Demonstration by Mike Zohn, Obscura Antiques and Oddities, TONIGHT! Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Hip Pockets [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- "A History of Taxidermy: Art, Science and Bad Taste," An Illustrated Presentation By Dr. Pat Morris, Congress for Curious People, Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- “Wild Anatomy” by Rachel “Thirsty Fly” Caldwell [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Charles Wilson Peale and the Birth of the American Museum, Coney Island Museum, Tonight!!! [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- "The Congress for Curious People," Epic 2-Day Symposium Begins Tomorrow!!! [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- "A History of Taxidermy: Art, Science and Bad Taste," An Illustrated Presentation By Dr. Pat Morris, Congress for Curious People, Coney Island Museum [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Charles Wilson Peale and the Birth of the American Museum, Coney Island Museum, Tonight!!! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- "The Congress for Curious People," Epic 2-Day Symposium Begins Tomorrow!!! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Anatomic Fashion Friday: Lady Grey Jewelry [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- "Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads" Book and Lecture by Stephen Asma, Thursday April 22, Observatory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- "The Silken Web: The Erotic World of Paris, 1920-1946," Mel Gordon Lecture at Observatory, Tomorrow April 20th [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Marylin Monroe Exposed [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- The Dance of Death, 1919, Attributed to Josef Fenneker [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- "Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads" Book and Lecture by Stephen Asma, Thursday April 22, Observatory [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- "The Silken Web: The Erotic World of Paris, 1920-1946," Mel Gordon Lecture at Observatory, Tomorrow April 20th [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- The Dance of Death, 1919, Attributed to Josef Fenneker [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Military Docs Pluck Live Shell From Soldier’s Head [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- "The Rogue Taxidermy Kunstkammer," The Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists, La Luz de Jesus, Los Angeles [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- "Museums, Monsters and the Moral Imagination" Lecture by Stephen Asma, Tonight!, Observatory [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- "The Rogue Taxidermy Kunstkammer," The Minnesota Association of Rogue Taxidermists, La Luz de Jesus, Los Angeles [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- "Museums, Monsters and the Moral Imagination" Lecture by Stephen Asma, Tonight!, Observatory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Feminal Artery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Anatomic Fashion Friday: Penis Trousers [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- The First Full Facial Transplant [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2010]
- "Anatomical Art: Dissection to Illustration," Exhibition Curated by Marie Dauenheimer, Arlington, Virginia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2010]
- "Anatomical Art: Dissection to Illustration," Exhibition Curated by Marie Dauenheimer, Arlington, Virginia [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- John C. Miller [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer, Observatory, Saturday May 1 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- This Is Spinal Tape [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- "Excellent Old-School Science Models," Life Magazine Photo Gallery [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2010]
- "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer, Observatory, Saturday May 1 [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- "Excellent Old-School Science Models," Life Magazine Photo Gallery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- Ventricle Vase [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2010]
- "Imaging / Imagining the Skeleton," Symposium, Tomorrow, Friday, April 30, 1:00-4pm, CUNY Graduate Center [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Synthetic Being [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- Tomorrow Night at Observatory! "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2010]
- "Imaging / Imagining the Skeleton," Symposium, Tomorrow, Friday, April 30, 1:00-4pm, CUNY Graduate Center [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- Tomorrow Night at Observatory! "Three Unique Medical Museums in Northern Italy," Lecture by Marie Dauenheimer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- UIC’s Biomedical Visualization Program on CBS [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- Kim Joon [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- Head of Discovery and Engagement, Wellcome Library, Employment Opportunity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Talking While Driving [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory, Thursday May 6 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 3rd, 2010]
- Skin Drawings [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2010]
- Kabinett des Grotesken ("Cabinet of the Grotesque"), Berliner Medizinhistorisches Museum der Charité, Spiegel Online [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2010]
- Head of Discovery and Engagement, Wellcome Library, Employment Opportunity [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory, Thursday May 6 [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- Kabinett des Grotesken ("Cabinet of the Grotesque"), Berliner Medizinhistorisches Museum der Charité, Spiegel Online [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- WAD Magazine [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2010]
- "The Saddest Object in the World," An Illustrated Meditation, Observatory, Friday, May 7th [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- "An Atlas of Topographical Anatomy after Plane Sections of Frozen Bodies," Christian Wilhelm Braune, 1877 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- The Taxidermy of Mr. Walter Potter and his Museum of Curiosities, Melissa Milgrom [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- Industrial Strength Lungs [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- The Taxidermy of Mr. Walter Potter and his Museum of Curiosities, Melissa Milgrom [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- Tonight!!! "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- Original Fritz Kahn Posters and Key Booklet, Sotheby's Vintage Posters Auction, May 13 [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- "The Saddest Object in the World," An Illustrated Meditation, Observatory, Friday, May 7th [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]
- "An Atlas of Topographical Anatomy after Plane Sections of Frozen Bodies," Christian Wilhelm Braune, 1877 [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]
- Tonight!!! "Experimenting with Death: An Introduction to Terror Management Theory," Lecture, Observatory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]