A Study Into Sherlock Holmes’ Stories From The Perspective Of Forensic Analysis

Generally speaking, Conan Doyle is one of the most representative detective writers around the world, and his stories promote the development of the detective fiction. Although detective fiction is always regarded as popular culture and has its weaknesses, his success lies in the fact that he associates sciences with detective storie, creating a new narrating style. In 1999, Ronald R. Thomas discussed the relationship between forensic sciences and detective fiction in his book called Detective Fiction and the Rise of Forensic Science, and proposed how scientific methods reflect social conditions. It is the Forensic Analysis that Thomas has deployed to relate the development of forensic sciences with detective fiction.This paper concentrates on the connection between the adoptions of forensic sciences with the realisation of identities, analyses the social issues reflected in his works, and moreover, discusses the reasons of crimes.Introduction consists of three parts: brief introduction to Conan Doyle and his works, literature review and objectives and significance of the thesis.Chapter One introduces the theory of forensic sciences systematically. Firstly, it discusses the origins and development of two scientific concepts in detective fiction; next, presents three main scientific methods(pictures, blood and traces) deployed in Doyle’s stories and their developments in real society from beginning to the time when Doyle wrote his detective stories; finally, states the significance of the thesis.Chapter Two discusses the role of detective as a camera in A Scandal of Bohemia, making a literary figure machinised into a police tool to distinguish criminals from innocent people because most citizens liked being photographed and criminals were seated before a camera after being arrested. Moreover, it discusses the function of two negative images from the perspective of forensic science in the story and makes clear the identity of the criminal.Chapter Three analyses the bloody scenes in A Study in Scarlet and The Sigh of Four from scientific point of view and then reveals the identities of Sherlock Holmes and his partner John Watson. Sherlock Holmes is a doctor who treats Watson the patient for his intellectual weaknesses via blood analysis and deduction, while Watson is a physician who helps Holmes to get away from injecting cocaine through his immense knowledge on blood system. Their double identities reflect medical changes and social issues in 19 th Century.Chapter Four focuses on fingerprints in A Study in Scarlet from forensic perspective. This chapter links foreign identities of criminals and bodies with social conditions within and without Britain. Britain was empowered to expand colonies overseas, and also opened the doors for outsiders to enter. Therefore, crimes are results of foreigners’ revenges.Conclusion sums up the symbolic meanings of scientific methods in the stories, and reveals how those methods reflect identities.