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400 BCE
Determining cause of death
Germanics and slavics determined that only medical experts can determine cause of death -
1248
First Forensic Science Book
First Forensic Science book published by the Chinese, -
Reporting Cases
First pathology reports published -
Physical evidence presented in case
Physical evidence of a paper torn in gun, also in mans pocket -
First recorded use of questioned document analysis.
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The development of tests for the presence of blood in a forensic context
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Chemical testing utilized
James Marsh, an English chemist, uses chemical processes to determine arsenic as the cause of death in a murder trial -
Methods used during Dostoyevskys time
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The development of the first crystal test for hemoglobin using hemin crystals.
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Photo identification
First uses of photos for identification -
fingerprints found unique
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Coroners
The Coroner's act established that coroners' were to determine the causes of sudden, violent, and unnatural deaths -
Forensic science was applied when doctors in London were allowed to examine the victims of Jack the Ripper for wound patterns
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Establishment of practice using the comparison microscope for bullet comparison
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Development of the absorption-inhibation ABO blood typing technique
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Invention of the first interference contrast microscope by physicists Frits Zernike
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Development of the chemiluminescent reagent luminol as a presumptive test for blood
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Study of voice print identification
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Invention of the Breathalyzer for field sobriety tests
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Use of the heated headspace sampling technique for collecting arson evidence
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Development of the scanning electron microscope with electron dispersive X-ray technology
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Identification of the polymorphic nature of red cells
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Enactment of the Federal Rules of Evidence
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Use of DNA to solve a crime and exonerate and innocent suspect
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DNA databank legislation was enacted