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First appearance of Forensic Science
Forensic science first appeared as a distinct subject in works like Questiones Medico-Legales in 1621 -
forensic medicine emerging
In the 1800's forensic medicine was still very distinct, autopsies were being performed without any special training -
Frye vs United states
Frye v. the United States was a court case involving a John Frye who was charged with murder. One of the expert witnesses claimed that he could tell that Mr. Frye was not telling the truth by detecting increases in Mr. Frye's blood pressure as he was asked questions. The questionable reliability polygraph test brought the need to create a standard by which scientific evidence could be more reliably judged to the forefront of legal rumors. -
The daubert ruling
Jason Daubert and a co-plaintiff, Eric Schuller, were born with significant birth defects that they claimed were caused by a drug their mothers had been given during pregnancy known as Bendectin. Bendectin was a drug often prescribed for nausea and vomiting from morning sickness during pregnancy and was made up of a combination of an antihistamine. The expert witness for trial was an obstetrician named William McBride. LOng story short, the drug is back on the market.