EAP375/1/1/145

Description: This envelope contains photos, newspapers’ and magazines’ articles and clippings, invitations, original documents, and one booklet that inform us about the Argentine police force during the first half of the 20th century. By the early decades of this century and the last years of the 19th century, the police force in the capital city Buenos Aires became the model of a scientific police introducing Parisian methods of research and criminal registration such as the Bertillonage. Afterwards, Juan Vucetich developed the finger print. Unfortunately and in contrast, this envelope also shows the abuse of the police force in the interior of Argentina plus the corruption that spread after the 1930 military coup and the so called Infamous Decade. There is little trace of an ideal police as it became closely linked with the caudillos and local political leaders. See, Caimari, Lila (ed.), La ley de los profanos. Delito, justicia y cultura en Buenos Aires (1870-1940), (Buenos Aires: Fondo de Cultura Económica, 2007).

Extent of original: Envelope. Condition of original: Regular to bad condition.