William Thomas Lingwood Smith was born on 2 December 1860 in Ballarat Victoria. He joined the South Australian Police Force on 1 September 1888 where he worked as a Detective photographer until his retirement on 30 June 1922. During that time he pioneered finger printing and became an expert in the Criminal Investigation Branch of the South Australian Police Department.

Smith died on 1 October 1933 as a result of hypostatic pneumonia following injuries from a collison between a tram and a car in which he was a passenger. The accident occured on 26 September 1933 on the corner of Wattle and Duthy Streets, Malvern. His wife, the Reverend Lily Lingwod Smith was injured in the accident as well.

Image of Lingwood Smith is courtsey of the South Australian Police Historical Society.