Henry Lee, a pioneering forensic scientist renowned for his influential role in bringing modern crime scene investigation to public attention, has died at the age of 87. Lee passed away peacefully on Friday at his home in Henderson, Nevada, after a brief illness, according to a statement from his family and the University of New Haven, where he served as a faculty member for over five decades.
Lee's name became widely known during the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial, where his expert testimony critically examined the handling of blood evidence. His involvement in that high-profile case helped to elevate public awareness of forensic science and its role in criminal investigations. Beyond Simpson's trial, Lee contributed his expertise as a consultant in several other notable cases, including the 1996 murder of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey in Colorado, the 2004 trial of Scott Peterson for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci, and the 2007 murder trial of record producer Phil Spector.
Born in China, Lee and his family relocated to Taiwan, where he earned a degree in police administration. He joined the police force and eventually became the youngest police captain in Taipei's history. In 1964, Lee and his late wife moved to the United States, where he pursued advanced degrees in forensic science and biochemistry. His accomplishments were later honored in China with a multi-story museum dedicated to his legacy.
Lee first gained national prominence through his investigative work in Connecticut, particularly in the 1986 disappearance of flight attendant Helle Crafts. Despite the absence of a body, Lee's meticulous analysis of minuscule evidence-such as fragments of bone, a thumb tip, a tooth crown, and hair found near the victim's home-helped authorities build a compelling case against Crafts's husband. The prosecution secured a conviction by demonstrating that the husband had dismembered Crafts's body and disposed of it using a wood chipper, marking a landmark case in forensic history.
Throughout his career, Lee often dismissed comparisons to fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes or Charlie Chan, emphasizing the collaborative nature of forensic science. In a 2000 interview, as he stepped down as commissioner of the Connecticut State Police, he said, "In real life, the scientists, detectives and public have to work together.... We don't get commercial breaks."
Despite his many achievements, Lee's career was not without controversy. In 2020, a Connecticut state judge vacated the 1985 murder convictions of two men, which had partly relied on Lee's testimony about bloodstains on a towel. Subsequent testing during the appeals process revealed that the stains were not blood, undermining the original forensic evidence. A federal judge later ruled in 2023 that there was no credible evidence supporting Lee's earlier testimony in that case. Lee maintained his innocence, denying any fabrication of evidence and suggesting that the blood traces might have degraded over the two decades between the crime and the later testing.
Lee spent much of his professional life based in Connecticut, where he led the state's forensic laboratory. At the University of New Haven, he played a crucial role in expanding its forensic science program from a modest fingerprint kit into a comprehensive, multidisciplinary academic department. He also helped establish a forensic institute bearing his name at the university, aimed at training forensic and criminal justice professionals and providing case consultation services.
In addition to his academic and investigative work, Lee hosted a crime documentary series in 2004 titled "Trace Evidence: The Case Files of Dr. Henry Lee" on Court TV, further contributing to public education about forensic science.
University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen paid tribute to Lee, calling him "a remarkable individual" whose contributions to the university, forensic science, and law enforcement were "extraordinary and unmatched." Frederiksen emphasized that Lee's legacy endures through the generations of students and professionals he influenced during his distinguished career.
At the university's spring commencement in 2025, Lee inspired graduates with words reflecting his lifelong dedication to perseverance: "There is no obstacle that cannot be overcome if you persist and believe."
A prolific author, Lee wrote or co-authored more than 40 books on forensic science and related topics. In his final days, he was completing a book focused on missing-person investigations, which the university announced would still be published posthumously.
Henry Lee's passing marks the end of an era in forensic science, but his groundbreaking work and dedication to the discipline have left an enduring impact on criminal investigations, education, and the broader public understanding of forensic science.