Sherlock Holmes and the Beginning of Modern Forensic Science

Spring 2026 Installment of the Forensic Science Lecture Series

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 5:30pm (Eastern)

“Sherlock Holmes and the Beginning of Modern Forensic Science” presented by David Zauner

Cost: $5 for NonMembers; FREE for Current IMHM Members*

David Zauner will give 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, comparing some of Holmes' cases from the stories to real cases at the turn of the 20th century and mentioning some of the early pioneers in different fields of forensic science. He will also examine how the background of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Holmes stories, gave him a unique ability to create a detective who used science and reason to solve cases. Besides creating a literary icon, Sir Arthur used his knowledge to undertake his own investigations, seeking to correct miscarriages of justice.

The Forensic Science Lecture Series is a long-time partnership between the Indiana Medical History Museum and the University of Indianapolis Human Identification Lab.

Registration is required for virtual and in-person attendance. *Member tickets are only available for current active IMHM members. Member status will be confirmed.

***Important information for attendees: Advanced registration is required. In-person seating is limited. This is a hybrid event with ticket options for both in person and virtual attendance. Please make sure you are registering for the correct ticket type. Member tickets are only available for current active IMHM members. Member status will be confirmed. Virtual attendees will receive a link to join the event via Zoom 24 hours prior to the event. If you don't receive it by then, check your email junk folder or email us at [email protected]. Doors open for in person attendees at 5:00pm.

IMHM Event Disclaimers: 1) The views and opinions expressed by the speaker(s) in this presentation are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Indiana Medical History Museum or its affiliates. 2) The content of the presentation is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment. 3) The Indiana Medical History Museum is housed in a historic building, and as such, may present certain risks and/or physical restrictions. Please let us know if you require special accommodations, and we will do our best to meet your needs.

IMHM Photography Policy: Attendees should respect both presenters and their proprietary material during formal presentations; therefore no still photographs nor video or audio recordings are allowed, unless explicitly permitted by IMHM Staff. To read our full IMHM Photography Policy, visit our website at www.imhm.org/visit.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

After graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1978, David Zauner embarked upon a 37-year career in forensic science and identification, working in the Technical Services Division of the Fort Wayne Police Department and the Indiana State Police Laboratory in Fort Wayne before joining the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency as a Forensic Scientist specializing in latent print examination, where he served for more than 27 years before retiring in 2015. Mr. Zauner has been an adjunct instructor in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program at Indiana University Indianapolis and a guest lecturer at the University of Indianapolis. He is now a docent, collections assistant, and board member for the Indiana Medical History Museum in Indianapolis, and a member of the Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis, a Sherlock Holmes literary society.

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