Contribution of Minovici brothers to ontogenesis of forensic science in Serbia

Abstract

Introduction of scientific methods into crime investigations in the end the 19th century initiated phylogenetics of forensic science in the world. One of the main tasks of forensics is to determine a person's identity. The first method for identification and registration of criminals based on scientific principles was Bertillon's system ("Bertillonage") established in France in 1880. The Romanian Police was among the first users of Bertillonage, through the efforts of brothers Mina and Nikolae Minovici. In an attempt to keep pace with the world, the Kingdom of Serbia directed the reform of its police towards the application of new scientific methods in crime investigation. The lack of professional staff was resolved as police officers of the Kingdom of Serbia were sent to further education abroad. In 1900, a police officer Dusan Alimpic (1873-1930) completed training in Bucharest (Romania) held by Minovici brothers for the application of Bertillonage. Professional knowledge that Alimpic gained during his training, comprehension of the work organization of the Bucharest Police and their experience in the application of Bertillonage in Romania, served as a foundation for the introduction of that method into the practice of the Serbian Police. This essay presents results of the research aimed at demonstrating the contribution of Minovici brothers to the introduction of forensic method for identification of individuals into the work of the Serbian Police, which may be regarded as a key step in ontogenesis of forensic science in Serbia.