A mug shot photo is a police booking photo taken after a person is arrested. It usually shows the person from the front, and sometimes from the side too, so law enforcement can identify them.

Quick Scoop

  • It is also called a booking photo or police photograph.
  • The main purpose is identification by police, victims, and investigators.
  • Mug shots are often taken with a plain background and a neutral expression.
  • In some places, mug shots may become public records and can appear in the media.

Simple Example

If someone is arrested, police may take a front-facing photo and a profile photo to store with the arrest record. That set of photos is the mug shot.

Bottom line

A mug shot photo is basically an official arrest photo used for identification, not a casual portrait.