Honoring the Life & Legacy of Pat Wertheim
With deep respect and a heavy heart, we share that Pat passed away peacefully on March 1st, surrounded by family.
A true giant in forensic science, Pat dedicated over six decades to shaping the field of fingerprint analysis with unwavering passion, integrity, and brilliance. His impact is immeasurable—training thousands of latent print examiners, guiding hundreds of criminal justice agencies worldwide, and setting the highest standards for forensic best practices and ethical evidence analysis.
*Please leave a message on the guest book below in remembrance of Pat
We invite you to share a story, memory, or how Pat impacted your life. Whether it was through his mentorship, his work in forensic science, or a personal connection, your words will help honor his legacy. Leave a comment below or email directly to [email protected] to share your tribute. Your reflections mean the world to us and will serve as a lasting testament to the incredible life he led. (Note: your message may take a few hours to go live.)
__________ Guestbook __________
A Dear Friend Gone
What a shock to hear of Pat’s passing! I met him in October of 1999 at a course he and three others gave in Portland Oregon. I am honoured that he continued our friendship all these years. We were in touch as recently as the end of January this year when he commented on a portrait and caricature of him which I had just sent him. He was a true inspiration to me in every way – his expertise, values and extraordinary kindness. What an example of the best a human being can be! I will always feel his loss but will be consoled that he left such a stellar legacy.
By Gail Hankin
You will be missed
The world of forensics and fingerprints lost an amazing person and resource when you passed away. The impact Pat had on my career can’t be overstated. Working with him at the Army lab at the start of my career was something I will always cherish. To have him around to train me from his box of exercises that he used to train everyone in his classes over the years, to just talking to him about career advice, hearing him talk about the history of fingerprints (never met someone so excited about history) will be some of my favorite memories from my career. I hope he knows how many people he has impacted over the course of his forensic career. I will miss seeing you around at the IAI conferences.
By Adam Whitman
Pat was a great supervisor
Pat was my supervisor at Plano PD when I was in charge of the Evidence Room. He was always supportive and helped me learn the best way to preserve evidence and it’s chain of custody. It was amazing to watch him work with latent prints and techniques like using super glue fuming to get those off many things. He was a funny guy too. He would always bring in venison summer sausage for us to snack on in the ID Unit after he had been hunting. He will be missed.
By Sandy Collins
An Exceptional Person
Pat was the person who first taught me how to compare fingerprints. I was one of his students at the Defense Forensic Science Center; after such a short, intense training period, I had considered Pat to be my fingerprint mentor. Even after I moved back to Texas, I still kept in touch with him. Not too often, just a few emails every couple of years ranging from giving him updates about different career milestones to telling him that the Texas Bluebonnets were blooming. It was always nice to hear from him and hear how he was doing, and I know I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. I think my dad put it best when he told me last week, “Sometimes we are blessed to have a rare relationship with an exceptional person.”
By Erin LaGrone
Loved his career!
Pat truly loved his career and was willing to share his knowledge with everyone. I first met Pat when I was studying for the IAI latent print certification exam. I learned so much from him and he had interesting stories and a career that would make anyone want to work in The forensics science community. He also was generous with his time and agreed to be a guest speaker at George Mason University in my graduate level classes and the students truly enjoyed his presentations and experiences in this field. I pray for his eternal peace and I look forward to reading his next book coming out in 2026!
By Deborah Leben
An ocean between us but always in my heart
Pat and I worked together on the case of Shirley McKie with Parliamentary Inquiry Justice one, the civil case and the Fingerprint Inquiry. After that for many years on the case of Alan McNamara. Pat introduced me in the case of Fred van der Vyver in which case we testified in the penal case as I did later in the civil case. We held joined presentations about the case at IAI conferences in in 2006 and 2008. Several times we have met, most memorable was our stay in South Africa in a stressful and hostile situation in particular for Fred and the family. Pat was a robust, very knowledgeable scientist and a great warrior for those who suffered from foul justice. It was always a joy to see him testify and a teaching in itself. Outside the court he was mellow and humorous. The world has lost a great man and the forensic community a foremost scientist, and I a great friend.