-
264 BCE
Yi Yu Ji
One of the earlier forensic science records explains the process of ruling a murder using two pigs (one alive, and one dead) with fire, finding a woman guilty of murdering and burning the husband's body to hide the evidence. -
221 BCE
Fingerprints and I.D.
The Chinese become one of the first that was able to realize that using fingerprints helps identification. -
Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Carl Wilhelm Scheele has the first successful test in identifying arsenic in corpses. -
A Treatsie on Forensic Science and Public Health
François-Emanuel Fodéré creates "A Treatsie on Forensic Science and Public Health." -
Period: to
A Boost in Popularity
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, or know as the creator of Sherlock Holmes helps to ignite a public interest in scientific crime-detection methods through the stories of Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. James Watson. -
More Arsenic Discoveries
German chemist Valentin Ross discovers a more precise method for discovering arsenic in stomach walls. -
Mathieu Orfila
Dubbed "The Father of Forensic Toxicology", he proved himself through detection of poisons and the effects they have on animals. -
The New Microscope
William Nichol invents the polarizing microscope. -
Finding Sperm
Henri-Louis Bayard creates the first procedures for finding sperm. -
Period: to
Photography and Forensic Science
Photography is used to help with forensics, prisoner images, and crime scenes. -
Microcrystalline Tests
The first microcrystalline test for hemoglobin happens. -
Blood Test
The first presumptive test for blood happens. -
Forensics Helps to Beat the Case
Scottish chemist James Marsh testifies arsenic in a victim's body, marking it the first time toxicological evidence is used in a case. -
Birth of Anthropometry
French scientist/police officer Alphonse Bertillon creates anthropometry (Anthropology with morphology) which uses various body measurements for personal I.D. He was the dubbed "The Father of Criminal Identification." -
Assistance in the Fields
Hans Gross creates Handbuch Für Untersuchungsrichter als System Der Kriminalistik" or "Criminal Investigation" as it was translated to in America helping to detain expected assistance in various sciences such as microscopy, chemistry, and zoology to name a few. -
Grouping Up Blood
Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovers that blood can be separated into different types, causing blood to be distinguished from the blood types A, B, AB and O. -
The Father of Questioned Document Examination
Albert S. Osborn creates "Questioned Documents" which is still used as a primary reference for document examiners. -
The Sherlock Holmes of France
Through sheer enthusiasm, Edmond Locard managed to overcome his shortcomings of limited supplies in a police laboratory he persuaded the Lyons police department to start and would make a turning point creating Locard's exchange principle (two objects come in contact with each other, both cross-swap materials) which is used to this day. -
Blood Detection
Dr. Leone Lottes identifies a way to detect the blood types from dried bloodstains, the process being instantly put into criminal investigations by him. -
Fingerprints Lend a Hand
Francis Henry Galton creates the book "Finger Prints" which helped to form the basic principles used in the current form of identification.
