Sherlock Holmes and the Beginning of Modern Forensics

Description:
The program gives an account of the state of forensics in the time period of the Holmes stories and explores parallels between the methods of the Great Detective and those actually used at the time. The presenter will also compare some of Holmes' cases to real cases at the turn of the 20th century, pointing out some of the early pioneers in different fields of forensic science. Reception to follow presentation.

Presenter:
David Zauner was a forensic scientist, specializing in latent print examination, with the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency (IMCFSA) for over 27 years before retiring in 2015. Prior to joining IMCFSA, he was employed by the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division and the Fort Wayne Police Department Technical Services Bureau. David received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Purdue University in 1978 and has attended specialized courses at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has been a guest lecturer for forensic science and criminal justice courses at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis for 16 years and taught a course in fingerprint examination there. He also explores the work of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and life in Victorian London, as a long-time member of the Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis.