Louis R. Vitullo

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Louis Vitullo
Mgm Louis Vitullo 1966.png
Louis Vitullo investigates a knife supposedly used by Richard Speck in the murder of eight nurses.
Born(1924-07-02)July 2, 1924
DiedJanuary 3, 2006(2006-01-03) (aged 81)
Occupationpolice sergeant, microanalyst

Louis R. Vitullo (July 2, 1924[1] – January 3, 2006[2]) was a Chicago police sergeant and chief microanalyst at the city's crime lab.[3]

Vitullo is best known for his role in the development of the rape kit, which standardized evidence collection in cases of sexual assault.[4] Marty Goddard, a victim advocate, had noted 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.[5][6][7][8] Although the resulting evidence kits were for a time called Vitullo kits,[2][7] this name has more recently come under criticism for underemphasizing Goddard's contribution to the kits.[8]

Death[]

Vitullo died at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington on January 3, 2006 after he collapsed at his home in Cary.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ "Louis R Vitullo". Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Obituary for Louis R. Vitullo Archived 2006-06-17 at the Wayback Machine at lastlinkontheleft.com (accessed October 19, 2006).
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Crime lab expert developed rape kits: Standard system to collect" Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine by Chris Fusco, Chicago Sun-Times (published January 12, 2006; accessed October 19, 2006).
  4. ^ Engels, Tristin (2020-09-04). The Power of Truth: The Life of Louis R. Vitullo and the Legacy of the Rape Kit. Genius Book Publishing. ISBN 978-1-947521-71-1.
  5. ^ Ravitz, Jessica (November 21, 2015). "The Story Behind the First Rape Kit". CNN. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  6. ^ T. Christian Miller; Ken Armstrong (6 February 2018). A False Report: The chilling true story of the woman nobody believed. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4735-3943-3.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Freudenheim, Betty (2 December 1978). "Chicago Hospitals Are Using New Kit to Help Rape Victims Collect Evidence". The New York Times. p. 48. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Kennedy, Pagan (2020-06-17). "Opinion | The Rape Kit's Secret History". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-17.

Further reading[]

  • Engels, T. The Power of Truth: The Life of Louis R Vitullo and the Legacy of the Rape Kit, Genius Books Publishing (2020), a book by Vitullo's granddaughter.
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