Tattoos have a long history, and have over the millenia been signs of different social classes, from royalty to the rags. In more recent times, they have become associated with criminals, sailors and criminal sailors. In fiction, a tattoo can act as a shorthand for "criminal", and at times it's not that far off. Organised crime from The Yakuza to Gang-Bangers have their own codes, and prisoners tell their life stories in pictures. May be Embarrassing Tattoo when a crook goes straight. In futuristic settings, a Bar Code Tattoo may be an Orwellian variety. Examples of Tattooed Crook include: