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Anton Van Leeuwenhoek constructed the first high-powered microscope
http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/usph/usph.htmEssentially this instrument was composed of just one lens. Given the high curvature of its surfaces, this lens was very powerful and allowed magnifications of up to 300X, almost one third of the magnification of a modern compound microscope. -
John Toms convicted of murder
[http://www.dplylemd.com/Articles/timeline.html](http:www.dplylemd.com/Articles/timeline.html)Convicted from basis of torn edge of wad of paper in pistol matching a piece of paper in his pocket. -
Alphonse Bertillon develops a measuring system
http://www.forensic-evidence.com/site/ID/ID_bertillion.htmlSystem used to identify people using particular body measurements.French identification bureau chief in the late 1800's and creator of anthropometry, as authority for the accuracy and usefulness of ear and ear print identification. -
Karl Landsteiner identified human blood groups
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/landsteiner/readmore.htmlHe discovered that blood clumping was an immunological reaction which occurs when the receiver of a blood transfusion has antibodies against the donor blood cells. -
1984—Jeffreys developed and used first DNA tests to be applied to a criminal case
he was responsible for two rape-murders in the English Midlands.7 Tests proved that the suspect had not committed the crimes. Police then began obtaining blood samples from several thousand male inhabitants in the area to identify a new suspect.8 In a 1987 case in England, Robert Melias became the first person convicted of a crime (rape) on the basis of DNA evidence.
