Britain's What's On Event Guide
Forensic Edinburgh
Tracing Edinburgh’s forensic history, from the first forensic medicine lectures to the notable cases of Sir Sydney Smith.
Edinburgh has been at the forefront of forensic medicine since the late 18th century. In 1780s, the University of Edinburgh introduced Britain’s first lectures on the subject, followed by the establishment of a dedicated chair in medical jurisprudence in 1807.
But how did Edinburgh’s medical community shape forensic medicine into a recognised discipline? And would the cases investigated in the 18th century be understood in the same way today?
___________
Join us at the Physicians’ Gallery as our three speakers - Daisy Cunynghame, John Crichton, and Iain Milne - uncover the city’s rich, and often unsettling, forensic past.
Chaired by Dr John Clark
Edinburgh has been at the forefront of forensic medicine since the late 18th century. In 1780s, the University of Edinburgh introduced Britain’s first lectures on the subject, followed by the establishment of a dedicated chair in medical jurisprudence in 1807.
But how did Edinburgh’s medical community shape forensic medicine into a recognised discipline? And would the cases investigated in the 18th century be understood in the same way today?
___________
Join us at the Physicians’ Gallery as our three speakers - Daisy Cunynghame, John Crichton, and Iain Milne - uncover the city’s rich, and often unsettling, forensic past.
Chaired by Dr John Clark
Wednesday 1 July
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
11 Queen Street EH2 1JQ
Wednesday 1 July 2026, 6pm - 7pmTickets £3
Free for students (student card required), under 18s (ID card required) and RCPE Fellows or Members.
Please email library@rcpe.ac.uk if you are a student, under 18, RCPE Fellow or Member and would like to be added to the attendee list.
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