Eduard von Hofmann

Eduard von Hofmann (27 January 1837 – 27 August 1897) was an Austrian physician who was a native of Prague.

[1] Hofmann is remembered for his diligent work in development of forensic medicine as a separate scientific entity.

He is credited for introducing and expanding methodologies such as microscopy, spectroscopy and laboratory animal experimentation into forensic medicine at Vienna.

[2] Hofmann was instrumental in autopsy studies of the nearly 400 victims who perished at the Viennese Ringtheater fire on December 8, 1881, where carbon monoxide poisoning was deemed to be an underlying cause of death.

[3] Also, he conducted the report on the controversial death of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria (1858–1889) at Mayerling.