History of Forensics

  • Fingerprinting (Earliest Forensics)
    1300

    Fingerprinting (Earliest Forensics)

    Dates back to ancient times, with early uses such as Babylonia and China for business transactions along with official documents.
  • Microscope (Equipment)

    Microscope (Equipment)

    The microscope allows a forensic scientist to examine hairs, fibers, and other microscopic evidence.
  • Chemical Analysis (Scientific Test)

    Chemical Analysis (Scientific Test)

    The process of determining the chemical composition, purity, and properties of a substance through a series of steps that includes sampling, sample prep, and the application of various analytical techniques.
  • Ballistics (Science Test)

    Ballistics (Science Test)

    Forensic analysis can help determine the type of weapon that was used, the distance of the shot, and other details about the incident.
  • Mathieu Orfila (Influential to Forensics)

    Mathieu Orfila (Influential to Forensics)

    Mathieu Orfila was a Spanish toxicologist and chemist. He is known as the 'Father of Toxicology' in the modern world now. He studied the decomposition of dead bodies, made studies of asphyxiation, and contributed to making Forensic medicine apart of routine.
  • Alphonse Bertillon (Influential to Forensics)

    Alphonse Bertillon (Influential to Forensics)

    Alphonse was known as the 'Father of Anthropometry', which is the application of science of physical anthropology or human asteology. He was a French police officer and made a system of identifying people through a combination of measurement and standardized photographs. Though he approached officers with this technique in 1879, it wasn't officially approved until 1883.
  • Rojas Case (Earliest Forensics)

    Rojas Case (Earliest Forensics)

    This case is known for being the first homicide case solved with fingerprints as evidence. Investigators had found a bloody fingerprint at the scene of Francisca Rojas' two murdered children. Later, because of fingerprint evidence, they were able to identify Francisca as the perpetrator.
  • Edmond Locard (Influential to Forensics)

    Edmond Locard (Influential to Forensics)

    Edmond Locard was known as a French criminologist who became known as the "Sherlock Holmes of France." He created the basic principle of "Every contact leaves a trace." This is now called the Locard Exchange Principle, which has become a very important part of Forensic Science today.
  • Latent Prints (Equipment)

    Latent Prints (Equipment)

    Latent Prints help to collect unique friction ridge impressions from fingers, palms, or feet at the crime scene.
  • Barrier Tape (Equipment)

    Barrier Tape (Equipment)

    Barrier Tape has the purpose of closing off a crime scene. It helps to seal a crime scene and help to let others know not to enter the scene unless your a professional.
  • The BTK Killer (Revolutionary Case)

    The BTK Killer (Revolutionary Case)

    Digital forensics helped to find the killer, Dennis Rader, after he sent a floppy disk to the local newspaper. The provided metadata contained critical data that pointed fingers at Rader, making this a popular case along with a successful demonstration of digital footprint capabilities.
  • Andre Davis (Controversial Case)

    Andre Davis (Controversial Case)

    Andre Davis spent almost 32 years behind bars after being accused of the rape and murder of 3-year-old Brianna Stickle in 1980. In 2004, Davis requested a blood test. Scientists were astounded that the semen and blood found at the scene weren't from Davis, but from a man named Maurice Tucker. He was released in 2012.