Dictionary of Sydney: The Specials
It’s not every day you get dragged shoeless out of bed by police officers to take a series of photogenic mugshots. That was the case with Edward Dalzell who in 1922 was an accomplice in a store break-and-enter with the intention to steal. Unfortunately, they were spotted by police, opening fire on the thieves, but Dalzell was able to get away before being found in bed with his lover the next morning.
Dalzell’s story is one of many unique stories behind these amazing mugshots that are currently on display at the Sydney Museum.
Lisa Murray from the Dictionary of Sydney came in to chat more about these mugshots and early police surveillance techniques.
