Experts Bridging Borders: Unveiling Transatlantic Ties in Criminal Sciences Between Hans Gross and John Henry Wigmore

Hans Gross is internationally recognized as one of the founding fathers of criminal science. With his aspiration for a (natural) science-based approach, he laid the foundation for interdisciplinary engagement in the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of crime. Literature indicates that Gross had connections to international researchers, including in the United States, with recent findings indicating a particularly close relationship with John Henry Wigmore—one of the key figures in shaping American evidence law. This article therefore aims to examine the relationship between Hans Gross and John Henry Wigmore under the hypothesis that Gross might have significantly influenced transatlantic developments in the early twentieth century with the support of Wigmore. Based on extensive archival research on materials, primarily personal correspondence, related to Gross and Wigmore, the article highlights the special connection between these two pioneers and its impact on American developments. These influences can be seen both in the shift toward a more scientific approach to criminal science in the United States through access to Austrian literature and in the establishment of the first American forensic laboratories, inspired and guided by Gross’s recommendations.