Murder Mystery: An 1850s Whodunnit

Body Parts

The discovery of body parts at Harvard Medical School in 1849 shocked the community. Wendy Zukerman describes how parts of a thigh and thorax, soaked in chemicals and burnt, were found in a furnace, along with a human skull, jaw, and teeth 1. The police quickly arrested John Webster, a chemistry professor, who claimed he was framed by the janitor, Ephraim Littlefield. Littlefield, known for his drinking and gambling habits, had led the police to the lab 1.

   

Chemical Tests

The chemical analysis of the remains was groundbreaking for its time. Experts performed cutting-edge tests revealing that parts of George Parkman's body had been soaked in potash lye, but not enough to dissolve the body completely 2. Additionally, some body parts were burnt in a small furnace in Webster's lab, yet not entirely reduced to ashes. This partial destruction of the body raised questions about the professor's methods and intentions 3.

   

Dental Records

Dental evidence played a crucial role in identifying the victim. The prosecution used casts of Parkman's jaw and dentures to link the remains to him, marking the first use of dental records in an American murder trial 4. Despite initial skepticism, the unique dental features provided compelling evidence. The defense's own dental expert eventually conceded that the remains could indeed be Parkman's 4.