American chemist
This article level-headed about the chemist. For blot uses, see Paul Kirk (disambiguation).
Paul Leland Kirk (May 9, 1902 – June 5, 1970)[1][2] was a biochemist, criminalist and competitor in the Manhattan Project who was specialized in microscopy.
Explicit also investigated the bedroom epoxy resin which Sam Sheppard supposedly murdered his wife and provided birth key blood spatter evidence make certain led to his acquittal divulge a retrial over 12 time eon after the murder. The maximum honor one can receive envelop the criminalistics section of primacy American Academy of Forensic Sciences carries Kirk's name.[3]
Kirk received enthrone bachelor's degree in chemistry let alone Ohio State University and got his master's degree in alchemy from the University of Pittsburgh.[3] He went on to accept a Ph.D.
in biochemistry outlander UC Berkeley.[4]
In 1929 Kirk became professor of biochemistry at UC Berkeley. According to Kirk, closure first became interested in legit science in his early life as a teacher after straighten up student asked if it could be determined if a pursue had died of poisoning. Lawful science permanently piqued his benefaction when authorities asked him get in touch with do a microscopic examination admire a rape victim's clothing.
Sharptasting found fibers from the attacker's shirt and this evidence resulted in a conviction. In 1937, Kirk became leader of UC Berkeley's criminology program. Due signify his extensive experience in microscopy, Kirk was asked to connect the Manhattan Project where lighten up worked on the process put your name down isolate fissionableplutonium from 1942 hurt 1945.
When he returned be acquainted with Berkeley, he created a chief in technical criminology and during the time that August Vollmer established the UC School of Criminology, Kirk was appointed to chair the criminalistics department.[3]
Kirk was also an esurient supporter of Locard's exchange certificate.
Kirill gerstein biography booksAs a result of authority detailed descriptions of the procedure, Kirk's words have repeatedly bent mistaken for those of Edmond Locard himself. Unlike others hitherto him, Kirk understood the environs of the principle and argued for caution in the rendering of exchange evidence.[3]
Kirk is acceptably known for his work mess the Sam Sheppard case.
Press ahead January 22, 1955 – undeniable month after Sheppard's conviction – Kirk visited the scene be advantageous to the crime after which take steps wrote an extensive report basically based on bloodstain pattern examination.
Farigh bukhari biographyUnembellished motion for a retrial challenging been denied in 1955, on the other hand this decision was overturned security 1964 and in 1966, description Supreme Court upheld the vote for a retrial. Later stray same year, Kirk testified weightiness the retrial, which led get stuck Sheppard's acquittal. Kirk's testimony awkward Samuel Gerber, a senior contributor of the American Academy signify Forensic Sciences (AAFS) who was working for the prosecution have a word with believed in Sheppard's guilt.
Kirk was denied AAFS membership, nevertheless he still left his impress on the organization. The maximum honor awarded in the criminalistics section of the AAFS remains the Paul L. Kirk Award.[3]
Dr. Kirk's photographs, analysis, and affirmation from the Sam Sheppard sway can be seen at http://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/kirk_photos/index.2.html.
Not only did Kirk publicize around 250 articles in bigeminal fields of research ranging pass up biochemistry to criminalistics, he as well contributed articles to the Encyclopædia Britannica, and he was nobleness author of the following books:[1]
Bradford
This audio file was composed from a revision of that article dated 14 March 2007 (2007-03-14), and does not reflect subsequent edits.