Kriminalistik
Definition
The term coined by Hans Gross for the integrated scientific discipline of crime investigation, encompassing physical examination of evidence, microscopy, chemistry, and systematic documentation. The origin of the English word criminalistics.
- Coined by
- Hans Gross
- Scope
- Physical examination, microscopy, chemistry, documentation
- English descendant
- Criminalistics
- Era
- Late 19th century
Common questions
How did Kriminalistik differ from earlier approaches to crime investigation?+
Gross argued investigators needed training across multiple sciences rather than relying on intuition or confession, treating the crime scene and physical evidence as the primary source of proof.
Why is Gross's term still cited in modern textbooks?+
It marks the point where crime investigation started being framed as an integrated applied science rather than a purely legal or policing skill, a framing that still underlies criminalistics curricula today.
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