Gang Tattoos
Gang members use tattoos for several reasons.
Gangs encourage tattoos as something unique to identify the gang and its members. Tattoos often usually include one or more symbols, such as numbers, animals, crowns, pitchforks, eagles, and swords.
Former prison gang members may have a large number of tattoos. Prison gang inmates have been known to remove unauthorized tattoos on non-gang members by cutting the tattoo from the person's arms, legs, chest, back, or wherever the tattoo appears on the victim's body.
Gang members may have the gang name tattooed in large, bold letters so that rival gang members will know the gang he or she represents. Gang members also use tattoos to intimidate other gang members, particularly if the gang has a propensity for violence, and to scare the community members.
Law enforcement officers can use tattoos as a tool to identify known or suspected gang members. The officer should make every attempt to obtain as much information as possible about an individual's tattoos during any encounter, whether he or she is a gang member or not.
What do the tattoos look like? Are they gang related? What types of tattoos does each gang have?
Understanding tattoos will help officers recognize and identify gang members within the communities they serve.
Tattoos
http://www.gangsorus.com/tattoos.html
