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1248
First forensic science book
In 1248, the first forensic science manual was published by the Chinese. This was the first known record of medical knowledge being used to solve criminal cases. -
First pathology reports published
In the early 1600s, the first pathology reports got published. A pathology is a diagnosis determined by examining cells and tissue. -
First Autopsy
The first autopsy performed was done in 1662. This was carried out on an 8 year old girl named Elizabeth Kelley. -
First time physical evidence used
The first recorded instance of physical matching of evidence leading to a murder conviction was used with John Toms. Evidence was a torn piece of newspaper in a pistol that matched newspaper in his pocket. -
Chemical testing utilized
In 1832 police arrested John Bodle for lacing his grandfather's coffee with poison. Chemist James Marsh tested the drink in his laboratory. He confirmed that arsenic was detected by producing a yellow precipitate of arsenic sulfide. -
First uses of photos
In 1854, San Francisco is the first to use photography for criminal identification. -
Fingerprints found to be unique
Henry Faulds and WIlliam James Herschel published a paper describing the uniqueness of fingerprints. Francis Galton, a scientist, adapted their findings for the court. -
Criminal features reduced to numerical measurements of physical features of bones
In 1882, Bertillon was able to identify offender after offender by using body measurements. Bertillon then designed an incremental physical description system. -
Sherlock Holmes and the coroner
Coroner's act established that coroners were to determine that causes of sudden, violent, and unnatural deaths. Arthur Conan Doyle also publishes the first Sherlock Holmes story. -
Fingerprint ID used in crime Juan Vucetich
In 1892, fingerprint ID used in crime. An Argentinean police officer, Juan Vucetich is the first to use fingerprints as evidence in a murder investigation, -
Investigations into blood markers
In 1901, Karl Landsteiner explained that people have different types of blood cells and that there are different blood groups. -
Learning about forensics
In 1909, Rodolphe Archibald Reiss was the founder of the first adamic forensic science program at the University of Lausanne. -
Hair now used in forensics
Victor Balthazard and Marcelle Lambert publish the first study on hair, including microscopic studies from animals.The first legal case to ever involve hair took place shortly after this study. -
Guns are unique
Victor Balthazard realizes that tools used to make gun barrels never leave the same markings, and individual gun barrels leave identifying grooves on each bullet fired through it. -
First police crime lab established in Los Angeles
The first crime labs were being built with the first police crime lab being built in Los Angeles. This is a big step for the police in finding criminals. -
Lie detection
In 1930, John Larson invented the prototype for the lie detection test (polygraph). -
Crime experts built a lab
Crime experts and the FBI establish their own crime laboratory. Also, a chair of legal medicine at Harvard was established. -
Voice recording used as evidence
In 1960, a sound spectrograph was discovered to to be able to record voices. This is beneficial for recording confessions. -
First national crime system
In 1967, the FBI established the National Crime Information Center. This is a computerized national filing system. -
Advances in residue detection
The Aerospace Corporation used scanning electron microscopy for the analysis of inorganic gunshot residues. This is a crucial step for forensic science. -
DNA technique for unique ID
In 1984, new DNA techniques are found by Sir Alec Jeffreys. These techniques are in the field of fingerprinting. -
DNA catches the criminal
In 1987, DNA profiling is used to convict Tommy Lee Andrews for a series of sexual assaults. DNA profiling is a huge advance in criminal science. -
DNA evidence certified
In 1996, the National Academy of Science announces DNA evidence is reliable. -
Auto Fingerprints system first implemented
In July 1999, the fingerprint identification function was automated in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System. The ability to identify fingerprints was monumental to the study of forensics. -
Faster Fingerprint ID's
In 1999, the FBI establishes the integrated automatic fingerprint identification system which went from taking two weeks to now taking only two hours. -
Faster DNA IDs
In 2001, DNA IDs went from taking 6 to 8 weeks progressed to 1 to 2 days. This advance made the arresting process much more rapid. -
Footwear detection system
In 2007, Britain's forensic science service develops online footwear coding and detection systems. This enables investigators to trace shoes back to criminals. -
A way for scientists to visualize fingerprints even after they've been removed
Scientists can now examine fingerprints even the ones that have been removed. The fingerprint oils erode metal on guns, etc. -
Facial sketches matched to photos
In 2011, Michigan State University develops software that automatically matches hand drawn facial sketches to mugshots. This technology is an advance in identifying criminals. -
Four second dental match
In 2011, Japanese researchers develop a dental x- ray matching system. This is beneficial for cases that include a bite mark. -
The Innocence Project
On July 18 2013, The Innocence Project, The National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers and its partners announced a groundbreaking and historic agreement with the FBI and the DOJ to review more than 2000 criminal cases in which the FBI conducted microscopic hair analysis of crime scene evidence. -
The U.S. Department of Justice announces launch of National Commission on Forensic Science
In 2013, The U.S. Department of Justice announces the launch of the National Commission on Forensic Science. -
NIST establishes a forensic science center of excellence
In 2015, the NIST established a 5 year, $20 million initiative for a forensic science of excellence and awards funding to a consortium led by Iowa State University. -
PCAST releases report "Forensic Science in Criminal Courts"
In September 2016, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology released the report "Forensic Science in Criminal Courts". -
The charter of the National Commission on forensic science expires
The charter of the National Commission on Forensic Science expires and the commission is disbanded by the Department of Justice. -
Authors of the Academies' report receives the Champion of Justice award from the Innocence project
In 2019, the committee that authored the Academies' report received the Champion of Justice award from the Innocence Network. -
Rapid DNA
This new forensic technology, developed by the Department of Homeland Security can use DNA to make family connections in times of crisis. -
Forensic scientists have discovered a new way of presenting fragile evidence
In July 2020, Forensic scientists have discovered a new way of presenting fragile evidence by reconstructing a "jigsaw" of human bone fragments using 3D printing.