During the 19th century, France had their own version of the famous Britain serial killer Jack the Ripper, and his name was Joseph Vacher. Joseph Vacher killed twice as many innocent people then Jack the Ripper. The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and The Birth of Forensic Science, written by Douglas Starr gives the story of Joseph Vacher’s life and the brutal crimes he committed. Starr also introduces the criminologist Alexandre Lacassagne, for whom he gives credits to for the modernization of forensic science and the investigating magistrate Emile Fourquet who brought to life the investigation processes.
Joseph Vacher was a former soldier who seemed to have something about him which just didn’t seem right. In 1893, he was committed to an asylum after he tried to brutally murder a woman he once was proposed marriage to, but the relationship shortly ended. He then tried to commit suicide but survived the attempt. Once being cured and discharged from the asylum, he was released back into France and started his long adventure of brutal murders. Over the next several years, Vacher was known to kill about 11 innocent people by strangling and slitting their throats, but it could be many more. This …show more content…
When describing the murders by Joseph Vacher, it gave enough detail and information to give you a sense of how the murder was conducted, which was perfect for this type of read. The focus was on the development of forensic science and Starr expertly weaves the Vacher story and the development of forensic science with an engaging writing style that kept the reader on the edge of their seat. All in all, this book is a must read especially for people who are into mysteries or who want to know more information on the starting foundation crime scene investigation and forensic
Joseph Vacher was a former soldier who seemed to have something about him which just didn’t seem right. In 1893, he was committed to an asylum after he tried to brutally murder a woman he once was proposed marriage to, but the relationship shortly ended. He then tried to commit suicide but survived the attempt. Once being cured and discharged from the asylum, he was released back into France and started his long adventure of brutal murders. Over the next several years, Vacher was known to kill about 11 innocent people by strangling and slitting their throats, but it could be many more. This …show more content…
When describing the murders by Joseph Vacher, it gave enough detail and information to give you a sense of how the murder was conducted, which was perfect for this type of read. The focus was on the development of forensic science and Starr expertly weaves the Vacher story and the development of forensic science with an engaging writing style that kept the reader on the edge of their seat. All in all, this book is a must read especially for people who are into mysteries or who want to know more information on the starting foundation crime scene investigation and forensic