The Scientific Sherlock Holmes Cracking the Case with Science and Forensics

Arthur Conan Doyle's enduringly popular Sherlock Holmes has his own undeniable place in the public eye. Holmes is often seen applying concepts of some branch of science in his work, discussing scientific matters with Watson, or is involved in situations where the applicability of the formal sciences is apparent. The Scientific Sherlock Holmes connects Holmes' vegetable poisons with concepts in botany, his use of fingerprinting with forensic science, and carbon monoxide poisoning and hemoglobin tests with concepts in chemistry, thus integrating the Holmes stories with all branches of science.

James O'Brien is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Missouri State University.