Louis R. Vitullo (July 2, 1924 – January 3, 2006[1]) was a
Chicago police
sergeant and chief
microanalyst at the city's crime lab.[2]
Vitullo helped to develop the
rape kit, which standardized evidence collection in cases of
sexual assault.
Marty Goddard, a victim advocate, had seen the need for more systematic evidence at trial, and brought her concerns and the idea for a kit to Vitullo. Vitullo helped develop Goddard's prototype.[3][4][5][6] Although the resulting evidence kits were for a time called Vitullo kits,[3][5] this name has more recently come under criticism as part of a general push to honor Goddard's contribution to the kits.[3][6][7]
Death
Vitullo died at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in
Barrington on January 3, 2006, after he collapsed at his home in
Cary.[2]