-
1247
The first case ever recorder using forensic science
The earliest known case of a crime being solved using insect evidence comes from medieval China in 1247. The victim had been slashed repeatedly, and investigators suspected the weapon used was a sickle, a common tool used in the rice harvest.
The local magistrate brought all the workers together and told them to lay down their sickles. The flies could sense the residue of blood and tissue invisible to the human eye. The murderer confessed to the crime. -
Beginning of toxicology
Mathieu Orfila, often called the "Father of Toxicology," was the first 19th-century exponent of forensic medicine. Orfila worked to make chemical analysis a routine part of forensic medicine, and made of the decomposition of bodies. He helped to develop tests for the presence of blood in a forensic context. He also worked to improve public health systems and medical training. -
Using thumbprints on documents instead of signing them
Sir William Herschel, Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in India, first used fingerprints on native contracts in 1856. Herschel a local businessman, impress his hand print on the back of a contract. The native was impressed, and Herschel made a habit of requiring palm prints (later thumb and index finger). -
Bertillon system as a way to distinguish individuals
Bertillon system is anthropological technique. This system consisted of five initial measurements: head length, head breadth, length of middle finger, length of the left foot, and length of the cubit. Along with these measurements, Bertillon used photography, now known as a mugshot, to complete this system of record. These methods of identification were combined into a system for law enforcement officials to access information and images quickly. -
Henry Faulds discovers that fingerprints are unique
Dr. Henry Faulds published an article in the Scientific Journal, "Nature". He discussed fingerprints as a means of personal identification, and the use of printers ink as a method for obtaining such fingerprints. -
First Sherlock Holmes novel
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published his first Sherlock Holmes story about detective, who was considered "the first CSI". -
Francis Galton published "Finger Prints"
The first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. -
Criminal Investigations by Hans Gross
Gross's book was written to cover criminology. In 1893, his book Criminal Investigations, a Practical Textbook was published. The purpose of the book was to make up for a deficiency in criminalistics. He presents his theories through psychological and material elements. He believed that the study of psychology allowed one to understand the motives of criminals -
Discovery of ABO blood groups
Karl Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood groups, and received a Nobel Prize. -
Edmond Locard incorporated Gross' principles within a workable crime lab
In 1910 he began the foundation of his criminal laboratory. Locard succeeded in persuading the Police Department of Lyon to give him two attic rooms and two assistants, to start what became the first police laboratory. -
Albert S. Osborn publishes Questioned Documents
His seminal book Questioned Documents was first published in 1910 and later heavily revised as a second edition in 1929. He developed the fundamental principles of document examination. -
Developing a method for restoring dried blood samples
Leone Lattes was the forensic serologist who, in 1915, developed a method for restoring dried blood samples so they could be tested for blood type. -
Establishing the first crime lab in United Sates
In 1923 August Vollmer established the first crime lab in United Sates as police chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. -
First ever comparison microscope
In 1925 Philip O. Gravelle developed the comparison microscope for the identification of fired bullets and cartridge cases with the support and guidance of Major Calvin H. Goddard.
