The first murder case in Germany to be solved using dactyloscopy was the murder of Anna Marie Lehmann, the widow of a Dresden civil servant. Dactyloscopy is a forensic method of identifying individuals based on the papillary ridges of fingers, palms, and soles of the feet. This method solved the 1914 murder of Anna Marie Lehmann, who had been found dead in her apartment on the evening of July 4 by residents, with a cord around her neck. Forensic investigators examined the victim’s apartment and found fingerprints on both the bedroom door and a cash box. These were the only clues the criminal investigation department had. An inquiry into her immediate circle had yielded no results, and there were no witnesses. Who had killed the widow? Then a miracle occurred. For the first time in German criminal history, the fingerprints found in the deceased’s apartment led to the murderer. From a collection of 150,000 fingerprint cards, the card was found that matched the fingerprints on the cash box and bedroom door in the civil servant’s widow’s apartment, and these belonged to the seamstress Marie Margarethe Müller. Without these fingerprints, the criminal investigation department would never have suspected her. Marie Margarethe Müller was arrested immediately, but during questioning she vehemently denied having murdered the civil servant’s widow. The seamstress’s fingerprints had been taken a year earlier, as she had been arrested for having an abortion. The death of the civil servant’s widow reminded the chief inspector of a similar case that had occurred in May 1914. At that time, an 86-year-old woman had been found dead in her apartment in a building on the banks of the Elbe. Like the civil servant’s widow, she had a red mark on her neck. Nevertheless, the police physician assumed it was a natural death due to her age, as she had likely been lying with her head pressed to the side for an extended period, causing blood to pool in the resulting skin fold. Nevertheless, the forensic unit had secured fingerprints that did not belong to the building’s residents. These fingerprints were compared with those of the seamstress Müller, and once again they matched. The seamstress Müller had killed both women out of greed. The double murderer was charged with two counts of murder, and the jury considered it proven by the fingerprints that Marie Margarethe Müller had murdered both women in cold blood, even though she denied the murders until the very end. The seamstress Müller was sentenced to death and executed. Thanks to the fingerprint analysis, a female murderer was convicted for the first time in Germany.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
