Dr. Edmond Locard (13 December 1877 – 4 May 1966)[1] 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.
Biography
Locard was born in Saint-Chamond, France on December 13, 1877, although some records claim he was born in 1872.[2][3] He 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.[4][5] His lab, located in Lyon, was the first forensic lab in Europe.[6][7]
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 forensic laboratory.[5][8][9][10]
Locard's daughter Denise would be born on November 18, 1917, in Paris.[11]
Locard produced a monumental, seven-volume work, Traité de Criminalistique. He also was first to codify Galton points, fingerprint characteristics meant for identification.[2][4][10]
Locard continued his research in Lyon until his death in 1966.[2][4][12]
Locard is considered to be the father of modern forensic science. His Exchange Principle is the basis of all forensic work; the principle stipulates that when any two objects come into contact, there is always a transference of material between each object.[4][13]
In November 2012, he was nominated to the French Forensic Science Hall of Fame of the Association Québécoise de Criminalistique.[14]
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