Archibald Reiss

Rodolphe Archibald Reiss (1875 to 1929) was a German-Swiss criminology pioneer, forensic scientist, professor and writer. He founded the first academic forensic science programme along with the Institute of Forensic Science, establishing scientific method as a foundation of criminal investigation training. Reiss combined training in chemistry, photography and forensics, making him one of the founding figures of forensic science as an academic discipline. His institute building work later extended his influence into criminal justice systems beyond his native Switzerland.