Minovici

The name "Minovici" refers to a family of Romanian scientists and physicians who made significant contributions to forensic medicine, criminology, and public health. The most notable members include:

• Mina Minovici (1858-1933): A pioneer in forensic medicine in Romania. He founded the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bucharest in 1892, one of the first such institutions in the world. He is known for his extensive research on hanging and other causes of death. He published "Tratat complet de medicină legală" (Complete Treatise of Legal Medicine), a seminal work in the field. He also conducted studies on tattooing, documenting patterns and meanings.

• Nicolae Minovici (1868-1941): A professor of forensic medicine and a collector of Romanian folk art. He is known for his controversial self-experimentation, where he subjected himself to various methods of hanging in order to study the physiological effects of asphyxiation. These experiments, while ethically questionable by modern standards, provided valuable insights into the process of hanging. He also established the first Romanian art museum dedicated to folk art, which later became the "Nicolae Minovici Museum" in Bucharest.

• Ștefan Minovici (1867-1935): A chemist and pharmacist who contributed to the development of analytical chemistry techniques, particularly in toxicology. He conducted research on the detection of poisons and their effects on the human body.

The Minovici family, particularly Mina and Nicolae, played a crucial role in establishing forensic medicine as a distinct and respected discipline in Romania, and their contributions continue to be recognized in the field.