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Marsh Test
Description
James Marsh was a chemist that created the Marsh test which was able to find arsenic poisoning in a body. He became an expert witness by using his science as evidence. The Marsh test worked by taking the gas produced from the test and seeing if it dissolves in hypochlorite. If it does, then it means that there was arsenic and it could be used as evidence in a case. Significance
This test was able to be used as evidence for murder by poisoning which wasn't available before. -
Everyone Has Different Fingerprints
Description
It was discovered by Henry Faulds that each human has a different fingerprint. This is important because it means that people can be identified through their fingerprints since no one can have the same one. His studies were continued by Francis Galton who then broke down the patterns of fingerprints. Significance
Faulds' findings means that people can be identified from their fingerprints. This means that fingerprints could be used to help in crimes. -
Powder on Fingerprints
Description
Henry Faulds found that powdering a surface and dusting it can find fingerprints. This was important because it helped investigators find fingerprints to help in the case.This was found in around 1880, but it is still a method that is used today. Significance
This helped find fingerprints which could be used to match to a person or to other things in the crime scene like matching a weapon to a person. -
Anthropometry
Anthropometry is taking measurements of a person's body and using it as identification which was started by Alphonse Bertillon. This was used in cases such as having remains of a person that can't be identified. This method was later replaced by fingerprinting. Mug shots also come from Alphonse which included taking a picture of the front and the sides of someone who has been arrested. Significance
This was one of the first forms of identification even though it might not have been the best. -
Cheese Bite Mark
Description
In 1906, there was a robbery and the robber ate a piece of cheese at the crime. Using the teeth marks left in the cheese, investigators were able to match the bite mark in the cheese to the criminal that did it. While bite marks helped solve this case, it can also match to the wrong person which is why it isn't the most ideal. Significance
This helped find the criminal by using the mark of their bite. In other cases, this wasn't used on food but on skin if the criminal bit someone. -
Lie Detectors
Description
Lie detectors were created in 1921 to help investigators get information from someone. The lie detector tracked things like heart rate and blood pressure and if those elevate, then it means that they have lied. This helps to get more accurate data and less false leads. They can't be used as evidence in court because they are not 100% accurate. Significance
The lie detector helped investigators get more information on the case they are working on with less false information. -
Luminol Used To Find Blood
Description
Luminol is a substance that shows blood that has been cleaned away. Putting luminol on a surface highlights any blood that has been there. This can be used to find out how much blood there was and see the patterns of the blood. Investigators are able to use these patterns to help determine what happened at the incident. Significance
With luminol, investigators are able to determine more about the crime scene and find things like how much blood there was or how the victim was injured -
Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)
Description
CODIS is a system used by the FBI to try to make matches using DNA. It started in 1998 and it was used to try to make a match in a crime case and try to find somewhere to start. The DNA is used to see if it will match with anyone in the database or match with another crime. CODIS was used in cases like murder and robberies and sexual assaults. Significance
CODIS helped the FBI match physical evidence to someone. An example could be using DNA from semen in a rape case. -
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Description
The AFIS was a great advancement for fingerprinting by using technology. Fingerprinting was a lot more efficient using AFIS because fingerprints could be uploaded digitally and stored. It also made it much faster to match fingerprints. Significance
AFIS allowed fingerprinting to be taken to the next level. With fingerprints being stored digitally, it made everything easier and faster. It allowed the computer to do the work instead of people having to do it manually. -
Finding Fingerprints On Metal Surfaces
Description
This method was discovered in 2008 and it allows fingerprints on metal surfaces to be found even if they were washed. This worked by using electricity and a certain type of film to show color. Fingerprints were found this way even if they have been cleaned a long time ago. Significance
This is a very sensitive method so fingerprints will almost always appear. That's important because now an investigator can have a fingerprint they wouldn't have had before.