"Myth of Sherlock Holmes as Scientific Detective"

[Pcdunn]

From the Strand Magazine, of all places!

https://strandmag.com/the-myth-of-the-scientific-detective-a-dissenting-view-of-science-in-the-holmes-stories/

Ran across the link on Twitter, and thought some of our Sherlockian fans would be interested in it.

[APerno]

As a Homes fan it was a great read, thank you. It makes a good argument, and I must admit as a Holmes reader I got duped along with the many, never stopping to think-through whether the science and forensics actually mattered.

I have one complaint, with the statement:

"Nonsense. Forensic science would have taken exactly the same course if Sherlock Holmes had never been created."

While I agree with him it is too bad he didn't add that it was the Whitechapel Murders that was the true 19th century catalyst for forensics investigation.

CID's 13 week growth in crime scene investigation from Polly Nichols to Mary Kelly was extraordinary; from Polly, were it was a check-off list of everything you shouldn't do with a crime scene and victim, to Mary, and everything you should do with a crime scene.

Possibly I am overstating this, but I feel that Mary Kelly was the first modern (forensic) crime scene investigation.

But again, great read thank you for posting.

[Pcdunn]

Not a problem, you're welcome. And welcome to Casebook, too!