Famed Forensic Scientist Henry Lee, OJ Simpson Trial Witness, Dies at 87

Lee's work drew scrutiny in later years, with a 2023 federal court ruling finding him liable for fabricating evidence in a 1985 murder case.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:18am

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Henry Lee, the renowned forensic scientist who gained fame for his testimony in the O.J. Simpson murder trial and other high-profile cases, has died at the age of 87. Lee passed away peacefully at his home in Henderson, Nevada, following a brief illness. He was a pioneering figure in modern crime scene investigation, but his reputation was tarnished in his later years by a federal court ruling that found he had fabricated evidence in a 1985 murder case.

Why it matters

Henry Lee's work helped bring forensic science into the public spotlight, but the revelations about his fabrication of evidence in a past case have raised concerns about the reliability of forensic testimony and the potential for miscarriages of justice. His death marks the end of an era in criminal investigation, and raises questions about the legacy of experts who have played pivotal roles in some of the most notorious trials in modern history.

The details

Lee rose to fame after his testimony in the 1995 O.J. Simpson trial, in which he questioned the handling of blood evidence. He also served as a consultant in other high-profile investigations, including the 1996 slaying of JonBenet Ramsey and the 2004 murder trial of Scott Peterson. However, a 2023 federal court ruling found Lee liable for fabricating evidence in a 1985 murder case that sent two Connecticut men to prison for decades. Lee defended his reputation, denying that he fabricated evidence and suggesting the traces of blood may have degraded over time.

  • Lee passed away on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • In 2023, a federal court ruled that Lee was liable for fabricating evidence in a 1985 murder case.
  • Lee helped investigate the 1986 disappearance of flight attendant Helle Crafts, using tiny fragments of bone, a thumb tip, a tooth crown and pieces of hair to help authorities convict her husband.

The players

Henry Lee

A famed forensic scientist who helped bring modern crime scene investigation into the public spotlight through his involvement in high-profile cases like the O.J. Simpson murder trial. He taught at the University of New Haven for over 50 years and authored or co-authored more than 40 books.

University of New Haven

The university where Lee taught for over 50 years, helping to build its forensic science program from a single fingerprint kit into a multidisciplinary academic department. The university has established a forensics institute in Lee's name to train and provide case consultation to forensic and criminal justice professionals.

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What they’re saying

“Dr. Lee was a remarkable individual. His contributions to our University as well as forensic science and law enforcement are extraordinary and unmatched. His legacy lives on in the generations of students and law enforcement professionals he impacted throughout his brilliant career.”

— Jens Frederiksen, President, University of New Haven

“Sometimes they compare me to Sherlock Holmes or Charlie Chan. Those are just fictional characters. In real life, the scientists, detectives and public have to work together. … We don't get commercial breaks.”

— Henry Lee

What’s next

Lee's final book on missing-persons investigations is expected to be released posthumously.

The takeaway

Henry Lee's legacy is a complex one, as his groundbreaking work in forensic science helped shape modern criminal investigations, but the revelations about his fabrication of evidence in a past case have raised concerns about the reliability of expert testimony and the potential for wrongful convictions. His death marks the end of an era, and his impact on the field of forensics will continue to be debated and scrutinized.