The Forgotten Founder of Modern Forensics: Salvatore ottolenghi and the Birth of Italy’s scientific Police
A new biography sheds light on Salvatore Ottolenghi, the 19th-century Italian jurist whose pioneering work laid the foundation for modern forensic science, transforming the Italian justice system and influencing investigative practices worldwide.
The question that sparked it all was deceptively simple: “What is this forensic police?” posed by Salvatore Ottolenghi in Rome in 1904. From this inquiry,and his subsequent vision,emerged a cornerstone of modern Italy,meticulously detailed in Roberto Riccardi’s new book,”Salvatore Ottolenghi. Inventor of the scientific police,” published by Giuntina in collaboration with the RUT Foundation.
Riccardi, a seasoned historian of collective memory, approaches his subject with rigorous attention to source material and past context. He argues that Ottolenghi’s legacy extends far beyond simply establishing Italy’s Scientific Police School. According to Riccardi, Ottolenghi’s true achievement was “the way to force justice to be just,” fundamentally reshaping the Italian judicial process. This wasn’t about creating a new branch of law enforcement, but about introducing a systematic “grammar of evidence” into a system often reliant on subjective interpretation.
Born in Asti in 1861, Ottolenghi earned his degree at age 23 and initially worked within the orbit of Cesare Lombroso, a pioneer in criminology. However,he quickly diverged from Lombroso’s theories,forging his own path toward a more evidence-based approach to inquiry. In 1902, he launched the first scientific police courses, notably held within the walls of the Regina Coeli prison.This intentional choice, Riccardi emphasizes, reveals much about Ottolenghi’s character – a firm believer that upholding prison dignity was an integral part of achieving true justice, not merely a matter of moral consideration.
The book excels when it moves beyond a strict chronological account and instead examines specific cases that defined Ottolenghi’s methodology. The investigations into Girolimoni,known as “the Forgetful of Collegno,” and the Matteotti affair,are presented as pivotal moments where Ottolenghi’s methods were put to the test. Riccardi articulates the methodological revolution with precision: Ottolenghi shifted “the delicate investigative activity from an artisanal craft to a profession based on study. From the triumph of subjective opinions to the paradise of documentary confirmation and technical proof.”
The Giuntina-Fondazione RUT series,which publishes this biography,serves a vital purpose: to resurrect figures and events that have contributed to the development of societal resilience. This editorial initiative skillfully balances historical accuracy with a sense of public responsibility, avoiding hagiography.The volume is well-paced, thoroughly sourced, and demonstrates a discerning editorial eye. While some sections lean toward sentimental reconstruction, the inclusion of original quotes anchors the narrative in Ottolenghi’s own words, offering a direct connection to his thinking rather then a romanticized legend.
A seemingly minor detail encapsulates Ottolenghi’s entire approach to his work. At the 1930 World Law Enforcement Congress in New York, he began his presentation with the unassuming phrase, “I will show in the slide” – a commonplace gesture today, but a revolutionary concept at the time. This simple act – to present, to verify, to explain – embodies his life’s work.
Ottolenghi passed away in 1934, tragically before the implementation of Italy’s racial laws. His wife and children emigrated to Argentina in 1938. Yet, his enduring legacy is a method that fundamentally altered italian justice “from the bottom up,” driven solely by the power of knowledge. The Giuntina-Fondazione RUT series, through volumes like this one, offers a valuable service by restoring contemporary history through the stories of the individuals who shaped it – not as celebratory memorials, but as resources for education, research, and for those currently working within the justice system.
