The International Academy of Criminology
| Date | 01 July 1931 |
| Published date | 01 July 1931 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X3100400314 |
| Author | M. A. Bischoff |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The
International Academy
of
Criminology
By M. A.
BISCHOFF,
Professor in the University of Lausanne,
and
PROFESSOR
SIEGFRIED
TURKEL,
of Vienna
[Translated]
UNTIL
quite recently there was no sustained connexion on scientific lines,
nor indeed any periodical exchange of experiences, between the various
European police laboratories and institutes; and for that matter there was
the same want of co-operation between such laboratories over the whole
world.
At the instance of
Mr.
C. I. Van Ledden-Hulsebosch of Amsterdam,
certain European criminologists thought out the institution of an international
association of experts in criminal investigation.
This
association was in-
tended to have as its principal objects.c-on the one hand mutual exchange of
experience, and on the other hand the subjugation of quackery. However,
the idea of an association of experts had to be given up, because in most
countries those who are called to practise as experts could not claim for them-
selves a real scientific cultural equipment, and, that being so, it was found
impossible to constitute an association that would be scientific in every respect
and would gather together members who would cover the whole extent of
knowledge.
It
was not found any more easy to collect in such an association
those who are in the habit of practising as experts before the Courts.
Therefore, if the idea was to be of any service, there ought to be for an
international association very strict rules of entrance, and a well-defined
balance of strength amongst its members.
In
consequence of this the idea of an international body of experts
engaged in criminal investigation was given up, and made way for the idea
of an Academy (on the model of the Academyof Science) which would group
together people who had more or less an equal standard of scientific culture,
astandard moreover of a kind which would make scientific work possible.
After a considerable correspondence between Messrs. Bischoff of
Lausanne, Van Ledden-Hulsebosch of Amsterdam, Locard of Lyons, Popp
of Frankfurt, and Turkel of Vienna, the result was the foundation
of
an
"International Academy of Criminology" which would be placed at
Lau-
sanne in Switzerland at the Headquarters of the Institute of Scientific Police
Investigation of the University there.
The
inaugural meeting of the Academy
was attended by representatives of the following countries
:-Germany,
Austria, France, Holland and Switzerland: the principal item in the agenda
was the preparation and adoption of its Articles of Association.
The
prin-
cipal clauses in the Articles are as follows
:-
The
International Academy bears in French the title
"Academie
Internationale de Criminalistique," and in German "International Akademie
fUr Kriminalische Wissenschaften."
464
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