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Forensics in the 1950's
The New Orleans Police Department installs an electronic data processing machine, possibly the first department in the country to do so. The machine is not a computer, but a vacuum-tube operated calculator with a punch-card sorter and collator. It summarizes arrests and warrants. -
Side-Handle Baton
A former marine invents the side-handle baton, a baton with a handle attached at a 90-degree angle near the gripping end. Its versatility and effectiveness eventually make the side-handle baton standard issue in many U.S. police agencies. -
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System
The National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System, a message-switching facility linking all state police computers except Hawaii, comes into being. -
AT&T Special Number (911)
AT&T announces it will establish a special number -- 911 -- for emergency calls to the police, fire and other emergency services. Within several years, 911 systems are in widespread use in large urban areas. -
The first Fingeprint Reader
Rockwell International installs the first fingerprint reader at the FBI. In 1979, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police implements the first actual automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS). -
The usage of dispatchers and computers for 911 calls.
Police departments begin implementing "enhanced" 911, which allows dispatchers to see on their computer screens the addresses and telephone numbers from which 911 emergency calls originated. -
New Computer Programs
Departments in New York, Chicago, and elsewhere increasingly use sophisticated computer programs to map and analyze crime patterns. -
The FBI started using DNA
The FBI started using DNA -
Forensics Labs in the U.S. and other Countries.
As of 2008, there were 1,100 forensic science labs in 89 countries, as noted at Forensic.santoshraut.com. New developments continue to be made in the many forensic labs around the world.
