Dr. Edmond Locard (13 December 1877 – 4 May 1966) was a French criminologist, the 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 is regarded as a founding father of forensic science and criminology. He invented several number of forensic analytical techniques that are still in use today. He made significant contributions to dactylography or the study of fingerprints. Locard felt that finding twelve points of comparison between two fingerprints would be sufficient for valid identification. This was chosen above Bertillon's anthropometric approach as the preferred way of identification.

During World War I, Locard worked as a medical examiner for the French Secret Service. By studying the clothing of the troops who died, he was able to determine the reason and place of their deaths. In 1910, the Lyon Police Department gave Locard the chance to establish the first crime investigation laboratory in a previously empty attic room, where he could analyze evidence from crime scenes. Locard produced several books throughout his career, the most notable of which was his seven-volume series, Traité de Criminalistique (Treaty of Criminalistics).

Locard's most well-known contribution to forensic science is known as "Locard's Exchange Principle." "It is hard for a criminal to behave, especially given the seriousness of the crime, without leaving signs of this presence," Locard says. This indicates that when someone commits a crime, they leave a trace of themselves behind while also taking something from the site when they depart. This phenomenon is classified as trace evidence by modern forensic science.

 

By:-

DEEPTI

M.A. CRIMINOLOGY (3rd Semester)

Dr. HARI SINGH GOUR UNIVERSITY SAGAR, MP