History of Crime Scene Investigation

By clairetimeline

  • Fingerprints were first used

    Fingerprinting technology was first used in 1858, but not yet used in crime scene investigation.

  • Publishing of "Crime and Punishment"

    Dostoyevsky published his novel, "Crime and Punishment" in 1866. During this time, the cause of death was determined by where and how the body was found. There wasn't much more investigation beyond that and there were many false accusations during this time. Suspicion of motive and word of others against someone took influence over any actual facts. Torture was also used to procure a confession, if nothing else had worked.

  • Photography was first used in CSI

    In 1879, Alphonse Bertillon invented the use of photography in CSI. He later created the mugshot, which is still used today.

  • Dr. Henry Faulds proposed in 1880 that fingerprinting be used in the research of crimes.

    Dr. Henry Faulds proposed in 1880 that fingerprinting be used in the research of crimes, but it wasn't used until 1892 by Juan Vucetich.

  • Invention of mugshot

    In 1888, Alphonse Bertillon invented the mugshot.

  • Identifying known criminals by their fingerprints

    William James Herschel invented the technique of identifying criminals by their fingerprints in 1892.

  • Fingerprinting was first used in CSI

    Fingerprinting was first used in 1892 by Juan Vucetich for a criminal fingerprint investigation.

  • James McKeen Cattle started studying the psychology of CSI

    In 1893, James McKeen Cattell was the first to research and study the psychology of CSI

  • DNA profiling was invented

    DNA profiling was invented in 1984 by sir Alec Jeffreys.

  • DNA evidence was first used in court

    DNA evidence was first used in a court in 1986.