Louis R. Vitullo
American forensic scientist (1924–2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louis R. Vitullo (July 2, 1924 – January 3, 2006[1]) was a Chicago police sergeant and chief microanalyst at the city's crime lab.[2]
Louis Vitullo | |
|---|---|
Louis Vitullo investigates a knife supposedly used by Richard Speck in the murder of eight nurses. | |
| Born | July 2, 1924 |
| Died | January 3, 2006 (aged 81) Barrington, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupations | police sergeant, microanalyst |
Vitullo helped to develop the rape kit, which standardized evidence collection in cases of sexual assault. Marty Goddard, a victim advocate, had seen the need for more systematic evidence at trial, and brought her concerns and the idea for a kit to Vitullo. Vitullo helped develop Goddard's prototype.[3][4][5][6] Although the resulting evidence kits were for a time called Vitullo kits,[3][5] this name has more recently come under criticism as part of a general push to honor Goddard's contribution to the kits.[3][6][7]
Death
Vitullo died at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois, on January 3, 2006, after he collapsed at his home in Cary.[2]
