What is diogo alves?

Diogo Alves (c. 1810 – February 19, 1841) was a Portuguese-Spanish serial killer. He is notable for being one of Portugal's first documented serial killers.

Alves was born in Galicia, Spain and travelled to Lisbon, Portugal as a young man where he worked as a farmhand. He eventually turned to crime, robbing poor people. His modus operandi involved waiting along the Aqueduto das Águas Livres, a large aqueduct, and robbing passersby. After robbing them, he would throw them over the side, leading to their deaths and making the crimes look like suicides. He is believed to have murdered around 70 people between 1836 and 1839.

After the aqueduct was closed, Alves formed a gang and began robbing private residences. He was eventually arrested for the murder of a family doctor and his family. He was sentenced to death.

Diogo Alves holds the distinction of being the only criminal in Portugal to have his head preserved after execution for scientific study. His head is currently kept in anatomical formaldehyde at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Medicine. Scientists were interested in studying his brain to understand the causes of his criminal behavior. This was a period when the pseudoscientific field of phrenology was popular, seeking to link skull shape to personality traits. His case reflects the early attempts to understand the mind%20of%20a%20killer through physical examination. The story of Diogo Alves also sheds light on the history%20of%20criminology and early forensic science.