Faced with the rising crime rate that marked the early decades of the 20th century in Quebec, Premier and Attorney General Lomer Gouin made an unprecedented decision. Convinced by a visionary physician of the vital importance of such a facility for the justice system, he ordered the creation of the Forensic Research Laboratory in July 1914. Located directly above the morgue, it was the very first laboratory of its kind in North America, second only to those in Paris and Lyon worldwide.
This pioneer was none other than Dr. Wilfrid Derome. A graduate of Laval University in Montreal who went on to specialize in Paris, he became the first physician authorized by the Quebec government to practice forensic analysis. Quickly dubbed the “father of forensic medicine” in North America and the “terror of the criminal underworld,” Derome revolutionized investigative methods by implementing innovative protocols.
The reputation of his work quickly spread beyond Canada’s borders: J. Edgar Hoover, director of the U.S. Bureau of Investigation (the future FBI), traveled to Montreal in person in 1929 to meet with him, then returned in 1932 to draw inspiration from his model in establishing the federal agency’s own laboratory. Today, the Sûreté du Québec headquarters building in Montreal carries on his legacy by bearing his name.
More than a century later, criminology is returning to the heart of the city. At 312 Sainte-Catherine Street West, Inside the Minds of Serial Killers: this immersive exhibition invites the public to explore the inner workings of profiling and criminal investigations through more than 20 immersive stations. Built around authentic archival material, the tour dissects the investigative methods applied to more than 16 serial killers and 16 crime scenes.
The experience is open daily. Tickets available starting at $26.90.
9 November 2026 13:00 + more dates
312 Sainte-Catherine St W
