Hans Gross Kriminalmuseum
University museum in Graz with the historic collection of evidence of the criminologist Hans Gross and his famous crime scene case.
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About the museum
The jurist Hans Gross (1847–1915) opened a "Criminal-Museum" at the Regional Criminal Court in Graz in 1895. As a teaching collection of "corpora delicti" – weapons, projectiles, poisons and other pieces of evidence from documented cases – it was intended to give students, lawyers and criminal investigators practical knowledge. The concept attracted international interest and was imitated in the USA, Germany and Japan, among other places.
Gross is regarded as the founder of scientific criminology and of the "Graz school of criminology"; his "Handbuch für Untersuchungsrichter" (Handbook for Examining Magistrates) of 1893 was translated into many languages. Characteristic of the collection is the crime scene case with which he examined crime scenes meticulously, because he distrusted witness statements.
Over the decades the museum was relocated several times: first to Meerscheinschloss, in 1980 to the former St. Anna Children's Hospital. Since 2010 it has been one of the University of Graz's university museums, and since its reopening in 2018 it can be visited at Heinrichstraße 18.
Highlights
- Crime scene case of Hans Gross
- Corpora delicti: weapons, projectiles and poisons from documented cases
- Collection arranged according to Hans Gross's classification system
- Fixed-time tour every Monday at 11 am
- Virtual museum online
Permanent exhibition
- Hans Gross Kriminalmuseum – Historic teaching collection of evidence from documented criminal cases, with the crime scene case of Hans Gross.
- Founded
- 1895
- Operated by
- Universität Graz (Universitätsmuseen)
- Director
- Stefan Köchel (Kurator)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Children and young people up to 18, seniors, those doing military or civilian service, people with special needs |
| Children & teens | €2Children and young people up to 18. |
| Seniors | €2 |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2 |
| Students & apprentices | –Students and staff of the University of Graz free with proof. |
| Groups (8+ people) | €3 per personWithout tour €3 per person; with tour €5 per person; school class with tour €3 per person. |
| Families | €8With the Styrian Family Pass. |
| Adults with guided tour | €7 |
| Reduced with guided tour | €3Children, young people up to 18, seniors, those doing military or civilian service, people with special needs |
Holders of the Kulturpass ("Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur") have free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Fixed-time tour on Mondays at 11 am; individual tour dates on weekdays by advance booking. Tours and workshops are available for school classes, registration possible all year round. |
