Forensic Science

13th Century China

1300

The first case ever recorded using forensic science (entomology)

Mathieu Orfila

1814

Considered the "Father of Forensic Toxicology" because his paper was considered proticol for detection of poisons in humans.

William Herschel

1856

Used thumbprints on documents to identify workers in India.

Alphonse Bertillon

1879

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

Henry Faulds

1880

Uses fingerprints to eliminate an innocent burglary suspect.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

1887

Published his first 'Sherlock Holmes' story; considered the first CSI, featured in the four novels and 56 short stories popularized scientific crime-detection methods.

Francis Galton

1892

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

Hans Gross

1893

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

Karl Landsteiner

1901

Discovered the ABO blood groups, later received Novel Prize.

Edmond Locard

1910

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

1910

Published 'Question Documents'. Developed the fundamental principles of document examination.

Leone Lattes

1915

Developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood.

August Vollmer

1923

Established the First Crime Lab in U.S. located in Los Angeles.

Calvin Goddard

1925

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