At the scene of the crime

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Death due to drowning, old Sihlbett, January 7, 1921 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Involuntary homicide, Bahnhofquai 15, January 1, 1942 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Manslaughter, Burgwies tram depot, November 23, 1923 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Gas explosion, Predigerplatz 27, April 2, 1938 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Embezzlement, Giesshübelstrasse 36, May 27, 1933 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Murder trial, Wegackerstrasse 50, December 27, 1936 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Car accident, Rotbuchstrasse, October 12, 1925 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Shooting accident, Lehmgrube Ziegelei Binz, April 14, 1929 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Prostitution, Mainaustrasse 32, August 14, 1922 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Illegal distillery, Brandschenkestrasse 14, April 16, 1936 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Property damage, Seilergraben, April 9, 1933 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Hand grenade accident, Allmend I, December 2, 1939 Stadtarchiv Zürich

Abortion, Höschgasse 52, July 10, 1925 Stadtarchiv Zürich

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Forensic scientists are trained to evaluate evidence. Often, it is the police who collect it. Historic photos belonging to the Zurich city archives show the wide range of incidents and locations that are potentially scenes of crimes.

From the first recorded autopsy, performed on the body of stabbing victim Julius Caesar in 44 BC, to fingerprinting, developed in the 1890s, to DNA analysis, developed in the 1980s, numerous tools have evolved to help determine the circumstances surrounding a crime. Was a death due to an accident, suicide or murder? Who was responsible for the destruction of property? Who was at the scene when a crime occurred? Considerable time and effort are required to find out.