-
Use Cases
-
Resources
-
Pricing
History of Forensics
Events
3rd century (China)
200 - 299
% complete
The earliest record of application of forensic science
Torture (Europe)
1500 - 1600
% complete
Guilty person would confess under torture, while God would give an innocent person the strength to resist the pain.
U.S. Postal Inspection Services Laboratories
1772 - Present
% complete
Carl W Scheele
1775
% complete
Devised a test for detecting Arsenic (the inheritance powder) in corpses
Medical Advancements
1800 - 1899
% complete
Allowed ME's to determine cause of deaths
Valentin Ross (German)
1806
% complete
Discovered more precise method for detecting small amounts of Arsenic.
Mathieu Orilla (Spanish)
1814
% complete
'Father of Forensic Toxicology'; published article on detection of poisons and effects.
Polarizing Microscope Invented
1828
% complete
Allowed the discovery of more physical evidence.
British Home Office Metropolitan Police Laboratory (Scotland Yard)
1829
% complete
Located in Britain
1st use of toxicology evidence in criminal trial
1839
% complete
First microscopic detection of sperm
1839
% complete
Photographs
1850 - 1860
% complete
Allowed ore accurate recording.
1st presumptive test for blood
1863
% complete
Alphonse Bertillion (French)
1879
% complete
Introduced Bertillon's system (Anthropometry); a system for identifying people by their physical appearance and was considered the most accurate method of personal identification for for almost 20 years. Was replaced by fingerprinting in 1903.
Sherlock Holmes
1887 - 1893
% complete
The most influential fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His influence can be compared to that of modern CSI shows today.
Jack the Ripper
1888
% complete
London was terrorized by serial killer 'Jack the Ripper'.
"Criminal Investigation" by Hans Gross (Austrian)
1893
% complete
The first book of criminal investigation using forensic science.
Walter McCrone
1900 - 1999
% complete
Father of Modern Microscopy.
ABO blood typing
1901
% complete
Discovered by Karl Landsteiner.
Will West Case
1903
% complete
Case of misidentification of two men who's Bertillon's measurements were almost identical, leading to the end of Anthropometry.
"Questioned Documents"
1910
% complete
Published by Albert Osborn
Locard's Exchange Principle by Edmond Locard (French)
1913
% complete
When 2 objects come into contact with each other, a cross-transfer of materials occurs that can connect a criminal suspect to the victim or the crime scene. Locard also started the first known police crime lab.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Laboratories
1920
% complete
Located in Canada. Centre of Forensic Sciences (Toronto). The Institute of Legal Medicine and Police Science (Montreal).
Los Angeles PD Crime Lab
1923
% complete
First crime lab in USA.
University of California at Berkeley Criminalistics Department
1930
% complete
Led by Dr. Paul Kirk.
FBI National Laboratory opens
1932
% complete
Opened under Director J. Edgar Hoover.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
1968 - Present
% complete
Analyze drugs seized in violation of federal laws.
United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratories (USACIL)
1971
% complete
Located in Fort Gillem, Ellenwood, GA.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Laboratories (ATF)
1972 - Present
% complete
analyze alcoholic beverages, weapons, and explosive devices.
FBI Forensic Science Research and Training center opens
1981
% complete