Detectives and scientists have a lot in common. Both collect data, develop hypotheses and test their assumptions. And both pursue evidence in the hope of a definitive finding.
Science was key to the exploits of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, who developed tests to detect poisons and other clues. Another fictional British detective, Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke, also applied science, using his training as a pathologist to solve crimes, including using X-rays to reveal a murder victim’s corpse stashed in an Egyptian sarcophagus. Many more science-minded fictional gumshoes followed, including introverted entomologist Gil Grissom in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and FBI behavioral analyst Jason Gideon in Criminal Minds.