Paul Leland Kirk was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado back in 1902. Sorry I can’t provide any other information except what is coming. He graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and his Master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.
He continued his education receiving his Ph.D. in biochemistry from UC Berkeley. In 1929, he worked as a professor of biochemistry at UC Berkeley. While there he became interested in forensic science. Law enforcement asked him to do a microscopic examination of a rape victim’s clothing. With what he found authorities were able to get a conviction. In 1937, he became the leader of UC Berkeley’s criminology program. He was asked to join the Manhattan Project working on the process to isolate fissionable plutonium from 1942-45. He published over 250 articles in multiple fields of research, ranging from biochemistry to criminalistics.
What you may not know about Professor Kirk is that he was called to investigate the bedroom in which Sam Sheppard supposedly murdered his wife and provided the key blood spatter evidence that led to his acquittal in a retrial over 12 years after the murder.
The highest honor one can receive in the criminalistics section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences carries Kirk’s name.
NW Arkansas, come for a visit, stay for a lifetime
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