12023-10-20T17:39:05-07:00History & Evolution of Forensic Science13plain2023-10-20T20:20:13-07:00Sherlock Holmes While many people today may best know who detective Sherlock Holmes is in solving crime, one of the fathers of forensic science is Dr. Edmond Locard. Considered the “French Sherlock Holmes”, Locard studied under medico-legal pathologist, Andre Lacassange, who exposed him to different elements of forensic science we see today (Ramsland, 2012). Locard was the first to report on the transfer of materials between victim and perpetrator. Locard's principle describes the matter left behind following contact between objects or persons: i.e. “every contact leaves a trace” (Byard et al., 2015). This principle is crucial to the crime scene evidence left behind by a perpetrator and builds the case for a guilty verdict. The field of forensic science has continued to grow from its humble beginnings to flourish into the vibrant industry today. This exhibit will examine some of the early origins of forensic science, their development and use, while providing a spotlight on the chemistry behind many techniques used. Dr. Edmond Locard
