History of Criminology

  • 13th Century China
    1200

    13th Century China

    First ever recorded case using forensic science. A murder happened via a stabbing in a Chinese village. All knives were collected and flies landed on the one with blood remains on it. Villager confessed because of this.
  • Mathieu Orfila

    Mathieu Orfila

    "Father of Forensic Toxicology," chemist who published paper on poisons and their effects on animals
  • William Herschel

    William Herschel

    First to use thumbprints as identifiers. Used to identify workers in India.
  • Alphonse Bertillon

    Alphonse Bertillon

    "Father of Criminal Identification," developed Anthropometry which uses body measurements to distinguish individuals.
  • Henry Fauld

    Henry Fauld

    Used fingerprints to eliminate innocent burglary suspect
  • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    Published his first Sherlok Holmes novel, considered first "CSI," featured in four novels and 56 short stories. Popularized scientific crime-detection methods.
  • Francis Galton

    Francis Galton

    Published "Finger Prints." Conducted first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. Gave proof of their uniqueness.
  • Hans Gross

    Hans Gross

    Published "Criminal Investigation." Wrote the first paper describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation.
  • Karl Landsteiner

    Karl Landsteiner

    Discovered the ABO blood groups, later received Nobel Prize.
  • Edmond Locard

    Edmond Locard

    Incorporated Gross' principals within a workable crime lab. Became founder and director of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons, France.
  • Albert S. Osborn

    Albert S. Osborn

    Published "Questioned Documents." Developed the fundamental principals of document examination.
  • Leone Lattes

    Leone Lattes

    Developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood.
  • August Vollmer

    August Vollmer

    Established the first Crime Lab in the United States, Located in LA.
  • Calvin Goddard

    Calvin Goddard

    Developed a comparison microscope, first used to compare bullets to see if fired from same weapon.