The Lindbergh Kidnapping

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Apr 3, 2024

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Natalia Austin 3650 Case Studies of Forensic Anthropology Dr. Thomas Holland 19 November 2023 The Lindbergh Kidnapping Did the Use of Forensic Anthropology Help Solve This Case? The kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr. is a famous case from 1932, in Hopewell, New Jersey. Home nanny, Betty Gow began to worry on the evening of March 1 st , 1932, when baby Charles Lindbergh Jr. was not found in his crib. Father, Charles Lindbergh goes to look for baby Lindbergh, when he notices a ransom note left behind. Almost two months later, Charles Lindbergh Jr. was found dead, and no one had any idea who would have done this. The timeline of this kidnapping was extremely short, as the report of the missing child, and finding of the remains was only a month apart. In this paper, I want to discuss the successfulness of the use of forensics, through the study of handwriting analysis and wood comparison but also look at the anthropological side of things that are used today, such as age estimation and blunt force trauma and talk about how that could have impacted the case more positively if they were used. The Lindbergh’s were an extremely wealthy family, which drew much attention to this case. The only motive that could even seem remotely logical was to take something from the Lindbergh family in exchange for their money. Well, that is exactly what happened. Throughout this case there was a series of ransom notes given to the family, stating in exchange for money, the kidnapper would make sure the child stays safe. After the first note, the “middleman” Dr. Condon, was the one to associate with the kidnapper for the family. He was given the ransom notes, in which he would give the allotted amount of money the kidnapper was asking for.

Tracking down this kidnapper was not easy, but the use of handwriting analysis, allowed for developing a profile for the killer. This case happened to be one of the first uses of this technique. The notes included unusual writing styles that caught the eye of investigators. Firstly, the money sign in America would come before the amount, for example, ($50,000). In the notes given to Dr. Condon, the kidnapper always put the money sign AFTER the amount, (50,000$). This happens to be more common in other countries that do not speak English. Another thing that jumped out to investigators, was the random misspellings, and use of adding alternate language into his notes. The kidnapper often used the word ’gut’ meaning ’good‘ in German language. As well as misspelling easy words like boat but spelling it as ’boad’. Which is unusual for many Americans, as boat is an easy word to spell. Lastly, while analyzing the ransom notes, investigators noticed a strange signature, which was nothing like they had seen before. It was a series of interlocking circles colored blue and red, accompanied by three-hole punches directly into the paper. Handwriting analysis in situations like this comes to be of much help, as it allows them to make an extremely specific profile of the person of interest.

The wood used in the ladder found by the Lindbergh’s home played a key role in this investigation. Arthur Koehler, wood expert, used his knowledge in this case to further examine the ladder and identify the wood used to make it and where it came from. Koehler used microscopic analysis, allowing to study the grain of wood (Norwegian spruce), which is commonly used in floor and ceiling joists in homes. Using the wood from the ladder, he was also able to identify the wood mill, in which the wood was processed in New York. This soon helped in identifying the killer, Richard Hauptmann, a carpenter in the state of New York. After getting the information needed to arrest Hauptmann, he was taken to trial. This trial lasted from January 2 to February 13, 1935, where he was found guilty and sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh. Handwriting analysis and things found in Hauptmann’s home were used as evidence in the trial, but he maintained his innocence to the end. Although many common methods were used during this trial, they failed to find the use of a forensic anthropologist. If they had used a forensic anthropologist within this trial, it could have assisted with analyzing and interpreting physical evidence related to what happened. Examples could be age estimation, skeletal analysis including blunt force trauma, taphonomic analysis, and expert witnesses (someone that is familiar with all the grains of wood; case specific, etc.) The use of anthropologists during the 1930s would be considered uncommon, as anthropology in the field was not as developed or as recognized as it is today. It began to become more prominent towards the latter half of the 20 th century. The use for anthropologist in identification of skeletal remains, and the use of specifics that include but are not limited to age

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estimation, skeletal analysis, taphonomic analysis, and use of expert witnesses became more common over the years as these disciplines developed more specific techniques and knowledge related to crime scenes and victim identification widened. Age estimation within this investigation may not have played a significant role in this trial, as both the victims and kidnapper’s age were both known during this time. However, I do believe that age estimation could have helped in identifying the age of the victim if they had been only skeletal. In this case, the decomposition of the remains was quickly progressed, so there was no way to determine any specific details like eye color, skin color, etc. Or take any long bone measurements and use dental analysis during an autopsy. If they had used this technique, it could have helped in establishing a timeline of events. If the focus was on how the victim died and when they died, then the use of age estimation could have played a role in the trial, but that was not the case. Skeletal analysis of blunt force trauma in this case could have been a huge hit. Using this in Hauptmann’s case, could have helped with manor of death and help link the found injuries listed in the autopsy, to the crime. Showing the identification of injuries such as blunt force trauma to the head can also help what caused the blunt force trauma. In this case, there was a strong possibility that Hauptmann had dropped baby Lindbergh when they were coming down the steps of the ladder from the second story, which caused trauma to the skull. This would mean he had been dead since the night of the kidnapping, proven by the decomposition of the body at discovery and broken second step of the ladder when it was found. Although I believe this would have played a positive role in court, there are limitations to it due to the lack of knowledge

within forensic anthropology at that time. Additionally, because the remains were so decomposed, it may have delayed the analysis of the remains if brought to court. The use of taphonomy analysis in the Lindbergh case could have been valuable, as it would help in understanding the postmortem changes in the body that had occurred. Specifically, this could have helped in understanding the timeline of events, and the crime scene, as well as trying to see if the body had been tampered with at all. Understanding the time since death would allow for the introduction of the decomposition of the body (how long has this body been decomposing) and the enviromental factors that affected it (the duration of the body because it was exposed to environmental factors). Also looking at the location in which the body was found would reveal if the body had been placed there postmortem, as well as if it had been moved or if there were visual signs of disturbance. Doing a full work up to understand the crime scene dynamics would also play a huge role. Very commonly after a body starts to decompose, scavenger activity is visible, which could also help in trying to see how long someone has been dead for. Because a forensic anthropologist was not a part of this trial, extremely limited evidence of taphonomy was used in the trial. Lastly, I want to introduce how the use of expert witnesses in this trial could have significantly benefited this case by providing specialized knowledge that could have benefited either the prosecution or the defense. If they had someone testify about the handwriting analysis used in understanding the abundance of ransom notes sent to the Lindbergh family, proving that Hauptmann was the one who wrote the notes. Using a forensic anthropologist in this case, could allow for someone to testify about the state of the body when found, cause of death, and any

obvious injuries to the body. Someone explaining the complex evidence in this case could have helped people that were part of the trial better understand any information that seemed to not make sense or line up with the timeline of events. The Lindbergh case had to rely too heavily on the circumstantial evidence presented in court. If they had expert witnesses alongside the obvious evidence brought to court, they could have clarified many complex aspects of the case, as well as providing additional scientific support for the presented evidence. Overall, I do believe having this huge line of expert witnesses could have significantly impacted this case. While forensic anthropology was not common or well-developed during the Lindbergh Jr. trial, its potential significance in its use of age estimation, skeletal analysis, taphonomic analysis, and use of expert witnesses could have provided valuable insights. Although they did use handwriting analysis and wood comparison within this trial, I do believe that they could have brought so much more to the table bringing in these anthropological ideas. Integrating the use of forensic anthropology into old cases shows importance in modern forensic investigations and highlights missed opportunities in earlier trials. While forensic anthropology was not extensively employed during the Lindbergh Jr. trial, its potential significance in analyzing skeletal remains, interpreting trauma, and understanding postmortem changes could have provided valuable insights. Integration of forensic anthropological expertise in such historical cases underscores its importance in modern forensic investigations and highlights missed opportunities in earlier tri While forensic anthropology was not extensively employed during the Lindbergh Jr. trial, its potential significance in analyzing skeletal remains, interpreting trauma, and understanding postmortem changes could have provided valuable insights. Integration of forensic anthropological expertise in such historical cases underscores its importance in modern forensic investigations and highlights missed opportunities in earlier trials. References Page:

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“Forensics Case: The Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Homemade Ladder.” Dummies , www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/science/forensics/forensics-case-the- lindbergh-kidnapping-and-the-homemade-ladder-138133/ “The Case of the Lindbergh Kidnapping: How a Microscope Changed the Course of a National Investigation / UNITRON News & Events.” Microscopes.unitronusa.com , microscopes.unitronusa.com/news/the-case-of-the-lindbergh-kidnapping-how-a- microscope-changed-the-course-of-a-national-investigation/ “Anatomy of the Lindbergh Kidnapping | Office of Justice Programs.” Www.ojp.gov , www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/anatomy-lindbergh-kidnapping Bencks, Jarret. “Covering the Crime of the Century: The Lindbergh Kidnapping and a Media Revolution.” BrandeisNOW , 18 Dec. 2020, www.brandeis.edu/now/2020/december/lindbergh-doherty-qa.html Lindbergh Kidnapping – Forensic Tales . forensictales.com/lindbergh-kidnapping/

The Lindbergh Kidnapping

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