Criminalistics is the science and profession dealing with the recognition, collection, identification, individualization, and interpretation of physical evidence, and the application of the natural sciences to law-science matters. The term originated from the book Handbuch für Untersuchungsrichter als System der Kriminalistik (3d ed., 1898) by Hans Gross, an investigating magistrate and professor of criminology at the University of Prague. He described the need for a scientifically trained investigator who could undertake certain technical aspects of an investigation and could also serve as liaison between scientific specialists who might assist in the investigation of criminal activity. This concept was popular in Europe, where a number of forensic science institutes were developed to apply the tools and techniques of the natural sciences to the investigation of crime and, generally, in official governmental inquiries.