link.springer.com

DNA analysis in the case of Kaspar Hauser - International Journal of Legal Medicine

  • ️Sullivan, K. M.
  • ️Thu Oct 01 1998

Abstract

In 1828 a mysterious young man appeared in Nürnberg, Germany, who was barely able to speak or walk but could write down his name, Kaspar Hauser. He quickly became the centre of social interest but also the victim of intrigue. His appearance, his origin and assassination in 1833 were, and still are, the source of much debate. The most widely accepted theory postulates that Kaspar Hauser was the son of Grand Duke Carl von Baden and his wife Stephanie de Beauharnais, an adopted daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte. To check this theory, DNA analysis was performed on the clothes most likely worn by Kaspar Hauser when he was stabbed on December 14th, 1833. A suitable bloodstain from the underpants was divided and analysed independently by the Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Munich (ILM) and the Forensic Science Service Laboratory, Birmingham (FSS). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was sequenced from the bloodstain and from blood samples obtained from two living maternal relatives of Stephanie de Beauharnais. The sequence from the bloodstained clothing differed from the sequence found in both reference blood samples at seven confirmed positions. This proves that the bloodstain does not originate from a son of Stephanie de Beauharnais. Thus, it is becoming clear that Kaspar Hauser was not the Prince of Baden.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Universität München, Frauenlobstrasse 7a, D-80337 München, Germany e-mail: Weichhold@rechts.med.uni-muenchen.de Fax: +49-89-5160 5144, , , , , , DE

    G. M. Weichhold & W. Eisenmenger

  2. Forensic Science Service, Priory House, Gooch Street North, Birmingham B5 6QQ, UK, , , , , , GB

    J. E. Bark & K. M. Sullivan

  3. P.O. Box 8595, Silver Spring, MD 20907, USA, , , , , , US

    W. Korte

Authors

  1. G. M. Weichhold

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. E. Bark

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. Korte

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. Eisenmenger

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. K. M. Sullivan

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received: 5 September 1997 / Received in revised form: 3 February 1998

About this article

Cite this article

Weichhold, G., Bark, J., Korte, W. et al. DNA analysis in the case of Kaspar Hauser. Int J Leg Med 111, 287–291 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004140050173

Download citation

  • Issue Date: October 1998

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004140050173