Forensic Science Timeline

THE BEGINNING

44 BCE

AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF JULIUS CAESAR, PHYSICIANS CLAIMED THAT OF HIS 23 WOUNDS ONLY ONE WAS FATAL.

LITERATURE

Jun 11, 1247

THE FIRST FORENSIC TEXTBOOK WAS PUBLISHED IN CHINA

CASES BEING REPORTED

Apr 12, 1600

FIRST PATHOLOGY REPORTS PUBLISHED

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

Apr 12, 1784

FOR THE FIRST TIME PHYSICAL EVIDENCE WAS USED TO CONVICT JOHN TOMS OF MURDER IN ENGLAND

POISON ADVANCEMENTS

Apr 12, 1806

VALENTIN ROSS, A GERMAN CHEMIST DEVELOPED A WAY TO DETECT ARSENIC IN THE HUMAN BODY

CHEMISTRY BEING USED IN TRIALS

Apr 12, 1836

JAMES MARSH OF ENGLAND USES CHEMISTRY TO DETERMINE ARSENIC POISONING AS A CAUSE OF DEATH

PHOTOS BEGIN TO BE PUT TO USE

Apr 12, 1854

SAN FRANCISCO BECOMES FIRST U.S. CITY TO USE PHOTO IDENTIFICATON FOR CRIMIALS

CRIME LABS

Apr 12, 1923

FIRST EVER POLICE CRIME LAB IS BUILT IN LOS ANGELES

POLYGRAPHS ARE INVENTED

Apr 12, 1930

POLYGRAPHS INVENTED BY JOHN LARSON TO HELP WITH POLICE INVESTIGATIONS

FACIAL SKETCH TECHNOLOGY

Apr 12, 2011

SCIENTISTS AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEVELOP A SOFTWARE THAT MATCHES HAND DRAWN FACIAL SKETCHES TO MATCH MUG SHOTS IN THE DATABASE