Robert
Borkenstein
Class of 1988
Background:
Robert F. Borkenstein was born August 31, 1912, in Fort Wayne,
Indiana, U.S.A. He received the Doctor of Laws degree from
Indiana University in 1987, Doctor of Science degree from
Wittenberg University in 1963, and the Bachelor of Arts degree
from Indiana University in 1958.
Professional
Experience:
Professor Borkenstein was a professor emeritus of forensic
studies, Indiana University. He served as director, Center
for Studies of Law in Action, Indiana University. From 1958-1983,
he served as professor, Department of Forensic Studies and
from 1958-1971, he served as chairman, Department of Forensic
Studies. From l936-l958, he served as captain in charge of
Laboratory Services, Indiana State Police.
Career
Highlights:
Professor Borkenstein was a national and international leader
in forensic sciences, criminal justice education, and traffic
safety. His extensive research on highway safety established
this field as an area for scientific research as well as social
concern. He was in constant demand as a consultant in many
countries around the world. Professor Borkenstein was most
recognized for his contributions to the understanding and
control of alcohol impairment in traffic accidents, and his
research and numerous publications on this subject are well
known to the international forensic science and traffic law
community.
He collaborated
with Professor R.N. Harger of the Indiana University School
of Medicine in the introduction of the Drunkometer, the first
instrument for accurate measurement of quantities of alcohol
in the blood by breath analysis. On the basis of this work,
he invented the Breathalyzer, an instrument that changed the
approach of forensic science and police enforcement in response
to drinking-and-driving problems. This technological innovation
enabled traffic enforcement authorities to determine and quantify
blood alcohol concentrations with sufficient accuracy to meet
the demands of legal evidence.
He also
employed photography in criminal and accident investigation,
early and conservative use of the polygraph (lie detector)
in interrogation of criminal suspects, and evaluation and
improvement of the first major electronic speed measurement
device in traffic law enforcement.
He served
in numerous leadership roles with the National Safety Council
and other organizations. For a number of years, he served
as president of the International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs
and Traffic Safety.
He received
numerous awards and honors. In 1966 he received the Liberty
Bell Award of the Indiana Bar Association, in 1970 he received
the special citation of the Ministry of the Interior of the
Republic of China, and in l974 the prestigious Widmark Award
of the International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic
Safety. He was awarded the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel
of the Indiana State Police in l98l.
He published
more than 45 articles and was the principal investigator of
the Grand Rapids study, "The Role of the Drinking Driver
in Traffic Accidents," now considered a classic in the
field.
