Joseph L. Gormley
Encyclopedia
Joseph Leo Gormley was the chief of chemistry
and toxicology
for the FBI.
Born in Clinton, Massachusetts
, he was raised in Somerville, Massachusetts
. Gormley received his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Boston College
. With his wife Frances he fathered and raised nine children.
In 1940, he moved to Washington D.C. and joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Gormley earned two law degrees from Georgetown University
and a master's degree in forensic science from George Washington University
.
He spent more than thirty three years with the FBI, investigating some of the agency's most famous cases, including the Great Brinks Robbery
in 1950 and the 1964 murders of three young civil rights workers, which became known as the "Mississippi Burning
" case. He served as an expert witness
in numerous trials
, testifying on his knowledge of chemistry
, toxicology
and arson
. For more than 20 years, Gormley supervised a program that developed the use of lie detector
tests for investigative purposes.
He retired from the FBI in 1973, and moved temporarily to Maine
to direct the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory. After returning to the Washington, D.C. area he worked in the research and training divisions of the International Association of Chiefs of Police
. In addition to his work at the IACP Gormley worked as a consultant for law enforcement matters in his later years. The former president of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists, Gormley also taught at George Washington University and the University of Maryland College Park
. He is remembered as one of the fathers of modern forensic science.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
and toxicology
Toxicology
Toxicology is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms...
for the FBI.
Born in Clinton, Massachusetts
Clinton, Massachusetts
Clinton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,606 at the 2010 census.For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Clinton, please see the article Clinton , Massachusetts....
, he was raised in Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
. Gormley received his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
. With his wife Frances he fathered and raised nine children.
In 1940, he moved to Washington D.C. and joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Gormley earned two law degrees from Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
and a master's degree in forensic science from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
.
He spent more than thirty three years with the FBI, investigating some of the agency's most famous cases, including the Great Brinks Robbery
Great Brinks Robbery
The Great Brinks Robbery was an armed robbery of the Brinks Building at the corner of Prince St. and Commercial St. in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, on January 17, 1950. Today the building is a parking garage located at 600 Commercial Street....
in 1950 and the 1964 murders of three young civil rights workers, which became known as the "Mississippi Burning
Mississippi Burning
Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American crime drama film loosely based on the FBI investigation into the real-life murders of three civil rights workers in the U.S. state of Mississippi in 1964. The film focuses on two fictional FBI agents who investigate the murders...
" case. He served as an expert witness
Expert witness
An expert witness, professional witness or judicial expert is a witness, who by virtue of education, training, skill, or experience, is believed to have expertise and specialised knowledge in a particular subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially and legally...
in numerous trials
Trial (law)
In law, a trial is when parties to a dispute come together to present information in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court...
, testifying on his knowledge of chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, toxicology
Toxicology
Toxicology is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms...
and arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
. For more than 20 years, Gormley supervised a program that developed the use of lie detector
Lie Detector
"Lie Detector" is a CD single by The Reverend Horton Heat. It was released in October 1998 on Sub Pop.-Personnel:*Jim "Reverend Horton" Heath - lead vocals, guitar*Jimbo Wallace - upright bass, vocals*Scott Churilla - drums, vocals...
tests for investigative purposes.
He retired from the FBI in 1973, and moved temporarily to Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
to direct the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory. After returning to the Washington, D.C. area he worked in the research and training divisions of the International Association of Chiefs of Police
International Association of Chiefs of Police
The International Association of Chiefs of Police was founded in Chicago in 1893 as the National Chiefs of Police Union. The primary goal of this organization was to apprehend and return criminals who had fled the agency jurisdictions in which they were wanted...
. In addition to his work at the IACP Gormley worked as a consultant for law enforcement matters in his later years. The former president of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists, Gormley also taught at George Washington University and the University of Maryland College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
. He is remembered as one of the fathers of modern forensic science.