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History of Forensic Science Timeline

(Ancient civilizations - Present)

Forensic science applies scientific methods to criminal investigation. It grew from early identification methods in ancient civilizations to fingerprinting, toxicology and modern DNA analysis. Less

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Development of Techniques

Gathering information on cause and manner of death in 16th-century Europe

1500 - 1599

Medical practitioners in army and university settings begin to gather information on the cause and manner of death.

Criminal investigation becomes evidence-based in the Enlightenment era

1700 - 1799

Criminal investigation becomes a more evidence-based, rational procedure influenced by the rational values of the Enlightenment era.

Writings on forensic science topics begin to appear

1775 - 1799

Writings on forensic science topics start to emerge during the late 18th century.

Image source: Forensic science

Writings on forensic science topics begin to appear

Advancements in Forensic Science

Detection of arsenic in corpses by Carl Wilhelm Scheele

1773

Carl Wilhelm Scheele devises a method for detecting arsenic in corpses.

Image source: Carl Wilhelm Scheele

Detection of arsenic in corpses by Carl Wilhelm Scheele

John Toms convicted for murder based on pistol evidence

1784

John Toms is tried and convicted for murder with the use of pistol evidence.

Valentin Ross detects arsenic in victim's stomach walls

1806

Valentin Ross learns to detect arsenic in the walls of a victim's stomach.

Murder conviction using forensic evidence in Warwick

1816

A farm laborer is tried and convicted for murder based on forensic evidence in Warwick.

Chemist called as expert witness in a murder trial

1832

A chemist is called as an expert witness in a murder trial in 1832.

Henry Goddard pioneers bullet comparison

1835

Henry Goddard pioneers the use of bullet comparison at Scotland Yard.

Thumbprints used on documents for security in India

1858

Thumbprints are used on documents as a security measure in India to prevent signature repudiation.

Popularization of fictional character Sherlock Holmes

1875 - 1899

The character Sherlock Holmes, written by Arthur Conan Doyle, popularizes reasoning and detective work.

Image source: Sherlock Holmes

Popularization of fictional character Sherlock Holmes

Fingerprinting used on contracts and deeds in Hooghly

1877

Fingerprinting is used on contracts and deeds in Hooghly, India.

Alphonse Bertillon creates the Bertillon System

1879

Alphonse Bertillon develops the Bertillon System for identifying criminals and citizens.

Image source: Alphonse Bertillon

Alphonse Bertillon creates the Bertillon System

Henry Faulds publishes first paper on fingerprints

1880

Henry Faulds publishes his first paper on the usefulness of fingerprints for identification.

Image source: Henry Faulds

Henry Faulds publishes first paper on fingerprints

Microscopy used to distinguish between blood samples in a criminal case

1885

An article in Scientific American describes the use of microscopy to differentiate between blood samples in a criminal case.

Vucetich sets up the world's first fingerprint bureau

1892

Vucetich establishes the world's first fingerprint bureau.

Hans Gross wrote a handbook for Coroners, police officials, and military policemen

1893

Hans Gross writes the Handbook for Coroners, police officials, military policemen, considered the birth of criminalistics.

Image source: Hans Gross

Hans Gross wrote a handbook for Coroners, police officials, and military policemen

Fingerprint Bureau established in Calcutta

1897

A Fingerprint Bureau is established in Calcutta for the classification of criminal records.

British pathologists pioneer new forensic science methods

1900 - 1999

British pathologists Bernard Spilsbury, Francis Camps, Sydney Smith, and Keith Simpson pioneer new forensic science methods.

Image source: Forensic pathology

British pathologists pioneer new forensic science methods

Henry Classification System accepted in the UK

1901

The Henry Classification System is accepted in England and Wales with the establishment of the first UK Fingerprint Bureau.

Image source: Henry Classification System

Henry Classification System accepted in the UK

Uhlenhuth test distinguishes human blood from animal blood

1901

The Uhlenhuth test is invented to distinguish human blood from animal blood.

Fingerprinting used in the New York Civil Service

1902

Fingerprinting is used in the New York Civil Service.

Archibald Reiss founds the first school of forensic science

1909

Archibald Reiss founds the first school of forensic science at the University of Lausanne.

Edmond Locard founds a criminal laboratory in Lyon

1910

Edmond Locard establishes what may be the first criminal laboratory in the world, in two attic rooms lent by the Lyon police.

Modern Innovations

Forensic science learned bodies foster development

1900 - 1999

Forensic science learned bodies like the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences foster the development of the field.

DNA fingerprinting used to identify murderers

1983 - 1986

DNA fingerprinting is used to identify the murderers of Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.

Forensic DNA analysis first used

1984

Forensic DNA analysis is first used as a tool in criminal investigations.

Alec Jeffreys pioneers DNA profiling

1984

Alec Jeffreys pioneers the use of DNA profiling in forensic science.

Image source: Alec Jeffreys

Alec Jeffreys pioneers DNA profiling

DNA profiling used to solve a double murder mystery

1985

DNA profiling is used to identify the rapist and killer of two teenagers in Narborough, Leicestershire.

Image source: DNA profiling

DNA profiling used to solve a double murder mystery

Colin Pitchfork arrested based on DNA profile match

1987

Colin Pitchfork is arrested after his DNA profile matches semen samples from a murder.

Image source: Colin Pitchfork

Colin Pitchfork arrested based on DNA profile match

Flaws in bite mark analysis highlighted

1999

A study finds a high rate of false identifications in bite mark analysis, raising concerns about its reliability.

Image source: Forensic dentistry

Flaws in bite mark analysis highlighted

Discussion on the future of forensic science in the 21st century

2000 - 2099

Forensic science's future is up for discussion as the field enters the 21st century.

Fabrication of evidence in the Houston Police Department

2002

The Houston Police Department is found to have fabricated evidence, leading to wrongful convictions.

Image source: Houston Police Department

Fabrication of evidence in the Houston Police Department

FBI abandons comparative bullet-lead analysis

2005

The FBI abandons comparative bullet-lead analysis after internal studies and a National Academy of Sciences review find it unreliable.

US Bureau of Justice Statistics provides the National Crime Victimization Survey

2016

The US Bureau of Justice Statistics provides the National Crime Victimization Survey.

Revised document on forensic science released by HR office

2016

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights revises a document on forensic science.

Image source: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Revised document on forensic science released by HR office

Number of forensic science technicians in the United States

2019

Over 17,200 forensic science technicians work in the United States.

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Key Facts

  1. Ancient Egyptians were among the first to use forensic science techniques, such as examining wounds and analyzing substances.
  2. In 1248, Song Ci's Xi Yuan Lu (Washing Away of Wrongs), written in China, gave the first written account of using medicine and entomology to solve crimes.
  3. In 1885, Scientific American described microscopy being used to tell apart the blood of two people in a Chicago criminal case.
  4. In 1836, British chemist James Marsh published the Marsh test, a highly sensitive method for detecting arsenic.
  5. In 1984, the first DNA fingerprint was discovered by Sir Alec Jeffreys, revolutionizing forensic science and DNA profiling.

Source

This History of Forensic Science timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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