Mugshots get makeover: Police shift from slate to A4 print in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: For decades, mugshots of grim-faced accused holding a chalk-scribbled slate listing their name, case number, and station name were an integral part of documentation in police stations. Now, cops no longer have to hunt for chalk or squint at smudged handwriting, as a number of police stations are phasing out slates and replacing them with printed A4 paper slips that carry typed details from the FIR or station diary.The printed format is faster, cleaner, legible, and, where gangs are involved, can accommodate details of eight to 10 accused on a single sheet. The records are also easier to process and store.Officers say the shift is practical and long overdue. Writing details on slates for each accused was time-consuming, and the slates themselves deteriorated over time, making them difficult to use. "It's a gradual shift, but a sensible one," said a senior officer, who has seen both systems in use. "The old system required manual writing every time, and the slates often became unclear after repeated use. After a few years, they turned from black to a muddied grey."The new method is also more efficient in cases involving multiple accused. "Details of eight to 10 accused can be included on one A4 sheet. This helps in cases like prohibition, narcotics or gambling, where several people are arrested together," the officer said.The change is incremental and unannounced. There is no formal policy directive, but the shift is evident in mugshots taken by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and major investigative agencies over the past few months. The transition is gradually trickling down to city police stations as well.Technology has also played a role in enabling the change. Earlier, large and bold lettering on slates was necessary for visibility in photographs. "With modern high-resolution cameras, even smaller printed text can be captured clearly, reducing the need for bulky or handwritten displays," the officer added.The mugshot itself — an enduring document of a person's encounter with the law — remains unchanged in purpose. Only the method has been updated for cleaner documentation, better readability and a more efficient workflow within police stations.