Edmond Locard, also known as the French Sherlock Holmes, founded the world’s first forensic laboratory in Lyon. In 2017, a collection of over 20,000 photographic plates was discovered in a garage in Lyon, France. Unfortunately, due to limited resources and funding constraints, authorities were unable to restore these photos until recently. Thanks to the financial support provided by historian Nicolas Delestre in 2017, the photos were restored and digitized by spring 2018.
Locard’s approach to crime investigation involved going to the scene and reconstructing the sequence of events based on physical evidence. A century ago, police did not investigate cases in the same manner as today, with handwriting analysis being one of the more advanced techniques. Locard began his career in forensics studying under Alphonse Bertillon, who developed a method of identifying individuals using body measurements. However, Bertillon’s false testimony in a famous police scandal known as the Dreyfus affair prompted Locard to establish a laboratory where various forms of physical evidence could be scientifically analyzed for use in court.
The collection of photographic plates from Locard’s laboratory showcases his team at work and conducting experiments, providing valuable insights into forensic practices of the past. Despite his early inspirations from pioneers like the Lumière brothers and Arthur Conan Doyle, Locard eventually dismissed certain techniques such as handwriting analysis due to their unreliability. Nonetheless, his groundbreaking work in forensic science over a century ago continues to influence experts today. The details of Locard’s forensic laboratory were shared in Nature magazine following this discovery.
Overall, this discovery highlights the importance of preserving historical documents and artifacts related to forensics and crime investigation for future generations to learn from them.
In conclusion,
Edmond Locard established a world-renowned forensic lab that revolutionized investigative methods for detectives around the globe. His dedication towards scientific analysis helped bring justice for many victims who had been wrongly accused or convicted without proper evidence.
It is fascinating how technology has evolved since then; while he relied heavily on photographs back then but nowadays we have advanced imaging systems that can capture even minute details from any angle possible.
This rediscovery serves as an important reminder that even though certain techniques may no longer be used today they still hold significance because they paved the way for what we do now.
The photographs will provide historians with valuable information about how crimes were investigated during that time period which can help them understand how much progress has been made since then.
