Forensic Science

  • 13th Century China

    the first case ever recorded using forensic science.
  • Mathieu Orfila

    considered the "Father of Forensic Toxicology"
  • William Herschel

    Used thumbnails on document to identify workers in India.
  • Alphonse Bertillon

    "Father of Criminal Identification". Developed Anthropometry which uses body measurements to distinguish individuals.
  • Henry Faulds

    Uses fingerprints to eliminate an innocent burglary suspect.
  • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    Published his first Sherlock Holmes story; Considered the first "CSI" featured in four novels and 56 short stories, popularized scientific crime-detection methods.
  • Francis Galton

    Published Finger Prints. Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. Gave proof of their uniqueness.
  • Hans Gross

    Wrote the first paper describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation. Published Criminal Investigation.
  • Karl Landsteiner

    Discovered the ABO blood groups, later received Noble Prize.
  • Edmond Locard

    incorporated Gross' principles within a workable crime lab, became the founder and director of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons,France,
  • Albert S Osborn

    Published Questioned Documents. Developed the fundamental principles of document examination.
  • Leone Lattes

    Developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood.
  • August Vollmer

    Established the first crime lab in United States, located in Los Angeles.
  • Calvin Goddard

    Developed a comparison microscope; first used to compare bullets to see if fired from the same weapon.