The Russian Criminal Tattoo Archive presents highlightsfrom FUEL's singular collection of authentic material onthis subject. Previously unpublished in its original form, thiswork comprises ink on paper drawings by Danzig Baldaev,the photographic albums of Arkady Bronnikov and prisonerportraits by Sergei Vasiliev. The selection is contextualisedwith insights from Mark Vincent PhD (author and academicspecialising in the Soviet Gulag) and Alison Nordström(photography scholar, writer and curator).The meticulous depictions of tattoos by prison guardDanzig Baldaev are reproduced in facsimile, authenticatedby his signature and stamp, alongside his handwrittennotes on the reverse. The paper has yellowed with age,giving the exquisite drawings a visceral temporality almost like skin. Sergei Vasiliev's photographs portrayinmates in startling intimacy. He achieves a remarkablelevel of trust within the closed criminal society, a stricthierarchy, where outsiders are viewed with hostilesuspicion. Arkady Bronnikov's collection of photographsare shown in the albums in which they were collected.Used exclusively to aid police in their investigations, theydepict a motley line-up of assorted body parts.This unique book is the only publication of primarymaterial on this subject, highlighting the pioneeringmethods of these three individuals used to document thisunique phenomenon.