HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION OF DR. ARCHIBALD REISS IN DETECTION OF WAR CRIMES DONE BY OCCUPATORS IN SERBIA IN THE GREAT WAR

Abstract

About Archibald Reiss, foreigner who helped Serbia and its people in maybe the hardest moments of its history, and later infinitely loved it, but also mercilessly criticized it, usually he is thought as a friend who emotionally and in good faith showed the negative characteristics and habits of our people. It is often neglected the fact that he, as already in European proportions recognized criminologist, was the first who informed the world about the crimes done by the Austro-Hungarian army, and in that way changed the barbaric image that the Habsburgs and that same Europe for years formed about Serbs, as king killers and heartless brigands. Even after the war, Archibald Reiss put his scientific authority and knowledge in the service of Serbia and a new state, participating in promotion of the Red Cross, systematization of the documentation about the war crimes in Serbia, and above all, in improvement of Serbian police. Actually, this way the authors strived to confirm his professional work, based on the most advanced scientific methods, as an immeasurable testimony for history science, as well as significant contribution for better diplomatic position of Serbia in the First World War.