In Memoriam: Professor Andre A. Moenssens, JD, LLM

Andre A. Moenssens, JD, a distinguished law professor and forensic scientist, passed away on July 28, 2024, at the age of 94. Born in Belgium in 1930, his early exposure to World War II's devastation shaped his future pursuits. His fascination with fingerprint analysis and forensic science led him to become a leading figure in the field.

After moving to the United States in 1956, Moenssens combined his roles as a fingerprint artist, press photographer, and consulate worker before embarking on a notable academic career. A towering figure in the field of fingerprinting and forensics, Andre dedicated his life to advancing fingerprint analysis and criminal identification.

He earned his JD and LLM degrees from Chicago-Kent College of Law and Northwestern University, respectively. Motivated by his great love for teaching and the intersection of fingerprinting and the law, he became a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law where he was tenured. Andre quickly became a trailblazer in his field and went on to teach at the University of Richmond for 22 years where he retired Professor Emeritus. Considered one of the nation's premiere forensic science scholars, he was invited to hold the Visiting Professor of Law William J. Mayer, Jr., Chair at West Virginia University for two years. He then held the Douglass Stripp Professorship of Law at the University of Missouri at Kansas City for six years where he chaired the Midwestern Innocence Project.

Moenssens contributed significantly to the field through his consultancy, expert testimony in high-profile cases, and his extensive authorship of textbooks and articles. His work with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and various forensic associations was highly influential. He was the first recipient of the Harold A. Feder Jurisprudence Section Award and was later honored by the AAFS as a Distinguished Fellow. He also received several other prestigious awards for his contributions to forensic science. His legacy is marked by his dedication to advancing forensic science and shaping legal education.

For all his accomplishments, his colleagues described him as humble, cultured, compassionate, and a 'gentleman giant' in his field– a man way ahead of his time who had few, if any, peers. His passing is a true loss.

To share a memory or read Prof. Moenssens full obituary, click here: Obituary information for Andre A. Moenssens (Blileys.com)