Renowned Forensic Expert Henry C. Lee Dies at 87

Lee worked on high-profile cases like O.J. Simpson and JonBenét Ramsey

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single forensic evidence marker, such as a numbered placard or evidence tag, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the legacy of Dr. Henry C. Lee's pioneering work in forensic science.The death of renowned forensic expert Dr. Henry C. Lee marks the end of an era in criminal investigations.Henderson Today

Dr. Henry C. Lee, the internationally acclaimed forensic scientist who worked on some of the most closely watched criminal cases in U.S. history, including the O.J. Simpson murder trial and the JonBenét Ramsey investigation, has died at the age of 87 at his home in Henderson, Nevada.

Why it matters

Dr. Henry C. Lee was a pioneering forensic scientist whose work on high-profile cases like the O.J. Simpson trial helped elevate forensic science as a central component of modern criminal investigations and trials. His death marks the end of an era for forensic science.

The details

Over the course of his career, Lee testified more than 1,000 times in criminal and civil courts in the U.S. and abroad, and served as a forensic expert in all 50 states and more than 46 countries. He also lectured in more than 70 countries, advising law enforcement agencies and criminal justice professionals on evidence handling, crime-scene reconstruction, and investigative techniques. Lee spent over five decades at the University of New Haven, where he founded the school's forensic science program and established the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science.

  • Dr. Henry C. Lee died on Friday, March 28, 2026 at his home in Henderson, Nevada.
  • Lee joined the faculty at the University of New Haven in 1975 and founded the school's forensic science program.

The players

Dr. Henry C. Lee

An internationally acclaimed forensic scientist who worked on high-profile cases like the O.J. Simpson murder trial and the JonBenét Ramsey investigation. He spent over five decades at the University of New Haven, where he founded the school's forensic science program and established the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science.

University of New Haven

The university where Dr. Henry C. Lee worked for over 50 years, founding the forensic science program and establishing the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science.

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What they’re saying

“Dr. Henry C. Lee became widely known to the public during the 1995 O.J. Simpson trial, where his testimony on crime‑scene evidence drew national attention and helped elevate forensic science as a central component of modern criminal trials.”

— University of New Haven

The takeaway

Dr. Henry C. Lee's pioneering work in forensic science and his involvement in high-profile criminal cases like the O.J. Simpson trial and the JonBenét Ramsey investigation cemented his legacy as a trailblazer in the field. His death marks the end of an era, but his impact on modern criminal justice and forensic science will continue to be felt for years to come.