Edmund Locard
| Edmund Locard | |
|---|---|
| Born |
13 November 1877 Saint-Chamond, France |
| Died | 4 May 1966 (aged 88) |
| Residence | Lyon, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Citizenship | French |
| Known for | First police laboratory, Locard's exchange principle, Sherlock Holmes of France |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Forensic science, Public health |
| Influences | Alexandre Lacassagne |
| Influenced | Georges Simenon |
Dr. Edmond Locard (13 November 1877 – 4 April 1966) was a pioneer in forensic science who became known as the "Sherlock Holmes of France". He formulated the basic principle of forensic science: "Every contact leaves a trace". This became known as Locard's exchange principle.
Locard studied medicine and law at Lyon, France, eventually becoming the assistant of Alexandre Lacassagne, a criminologist and professor. He held this post until 1910, when he began the foundation of his criminal laboratory. At one point, Locard met with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle while the latter was visiting France.
In 1910, Locard succeeded in persuading the Police Department of Lyon to give him two attic rooms and two assistants, to start what became the first police laboratory.
He produced a monumental, seven-volume work, Traité de Criminalistique. He continued with his research until his death in 1966.
In November 2012, he is nominated to the French Forensic Science Hall of Fame of the Association Québécoise de Criminalistique
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Wikipedia