Can Scientists and Engineers in Real Life Commit Elaborate Crimes Like Those in Sherlock Holmes Novels?

A more intriguing question might be: Why would they need or want to?

After all, Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective. These stories are entirely the realm of imagination.
Would a respected scientist spend their resources recreating a fictitious event, akin to a scientist recreating the Easter Bunny leaving eggs for children?

However, one might imagine scenarios leveraging their skills to great advantage. Not every aspect of a scientist’s knowledge is revealed to the public, so there might be unseen advantages.

A scientist or engineer could feasibly plan and execute a sophisticated crime, especially one involving computer hacking or automated mechanisms like a robot tunneling or a drone carrying out a theft. But a few critical points stand out:

The crimes in the Sherlock Holmes stories were designed to showcase the detective's intellect, with inherent flaws. A potential criminal seeking to avoid detection would find this paradigm problematic. Also, most scientists and engineers recognize that honest work pays better and leads to a more stable life.

If engineers aim to commit financial crimes, they stand a better chance through means like industrial espionage or embezzlement. In this context, stories like the London major heists become pertinent.

Is It Feasible for Scientists and Engineers to Pull Off Elaborate Crimes?

While it is possible for scientists and engineers to execute sophisticated crimes, it would be remarkably challenging. Such an endeavor would require extensive planning, technical proficiency, and meticulous precautions to avoid detection.

Outside of a few science fiction scenarios, many of the crimes depicted are indeed realistic. For instance, the idea of digging under a bank vault to steal is plausible with modern tools. Similarly, breaking into a man's room and performing an act of vigilante justice or revenge is entirely within the realm of possibility. As for murdering a man with a rock, that is also realistically feasible.

It's important to note that many of the crimes in Sherlock Holmes stories aren't as elaborate. The genius of the stories lies in the ingenious ways Holmes solves seemingly impossible cases using subtle clues. The methods used by Holmes have influenced real-world police work and forensic science. Dr. Joseph Bell, the real-life inspiration for Holmes, was adept at solving real crimes using similar techniques.

However, not all of this is entirely realistic. For example, the idea of a man using ape glands to scale trees like an orangutan or make monkey noises, or the so-called "swamp adder" snake, are purely fictional inventions. Similarly, the concept of a powder causing hallucinations, permanent insanity, and death is a creative fantasy of Arthur Conan Doyle's imagination.

In essence, the feasibility of real-life crimes depends more on the complexity and technical aspects involved, rather than the fantastical elements present in the novels.