- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
1930-1939
Home > History > 1930-1939
1930
SCDL firearm examiner
The foreman of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre grand jury established the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory (SCDL) through private funding. Calvin Goddard became director of the laboratory, which was affiliated with the Northwestern University School of Law near Chicago. He remained director until 1934, when he formed a private firm. During his directorship, Goddard provided scientific training in the areas of firearm and toolmark identification to numerous individuals who went on to work in other laboratories around the United States.
1932
J. Edgar Hoover
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) laboratory was established at the direction of then Director J. Edgar Hoover. It is noteworthy that the first person to staff the FBI laboratory received training from Calvin Goddard at the SCDL.
1934
Major Sir Gerald Burrard wrote a book titled The Identification of Firearms and Forensic Ballistics, which was published in London, England. In his book, Burrard discusses many of the early cases that occurred in the British Empire. Burrard acknowledges Colonel H. W. Todhunter, C.M.G. (former chief inspector of small arms for the British Army) as the pioneer of firearms identification in the United Kingdom.
1935
Julian S. Hatcher, an experienced U.S. Army ordnance officer, wrote Textbook of Firearms Investigation, Identification and Evidence, one of two significant books from this period. Major Hatcher served in a variety of assignments involving the design, manufacture, and testing of ammunition and firearms. This book was adopted by many firearm examiners throughout the United States and contained several photographs provided by Captain Ned Crossman.
Jack D. Gunther, a New York attorney and Professor Charles O. Gunther, a professor of mathematics and a reserve Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Ordnance Department, co-authored another important text entitled The Identification of Firearms. Their book provided additional information about the principles of firearms identification including details of the Sacco-Vanzetti case. The Gunthers reinforced the need for scientific methodology in the field of firearms identification.
1938
Originally a private laboratory under the direction of Calvin Goddard, the Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory at Northwestern University (SCDL) was bought by the City of Chicago. The equipment was transferred from the University to the Chicago Police Department and existing laboratory personnel were offered positions in the new laboratory.
