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Mathieu Orfila
Mathieu Orfila, aka the "Father of Toxicology", wrote "Treatise on Poisons", which is regarded as a classic forensics text. He also made significant contributions for determining the presence of blood in a forensic context. Orfila is additionally accredited with first attempting to use a microscope to assess blood and semen stains, which can be used as evidence during a trial. -
James Marsh
James Marsh was a Scottish chemist who invented the Marsh Test, which detects arsenic in the body. He was the first to then use toxicology as evidence in jury trial in 1836, providing another source of evidence to be used in future trials. -
Photography
In 1864, there was the first advocated use of photography in order to document crime scenes and to identify criminals. This led to better documentation and thus stronger evidence to be used in trials. -
Alphonse Bertillon
Alphonse Bertillon is accredited with developing the Bertillon system, which uses anthropometry in order to identify criminals. In addition to using the 11 recorded body measurements, Bertillon would include photographs of the criminals to his data - leading to stronger convictions. -
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
In 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote and published "A Study in Scarlet", featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Sherlock Holmes series is arguably regarded as one of the most classic detective stories and an important forensic text, as it depicts innovative forensic methods and techniques which were later used to solve real life crimes. -
Francis Galton
In 1892, Francis Galton published "Fingerprints", which discusses the nature of fingerprints and how they can be used to identify individuals. He was among the first to scientifically show that fingerprints can identify individuals, which led to stronger convictions. -
Theodore Roosevelt
In 1905, US President Theodore Roosevelt established the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI provides investigation of violations of federal criminal law - which allows the US to uphold its law and protect the citizens. -
Leone Lattes
Leone Lattes is accredited with developing the first antibody test for ABO blood groups in 1915, which he later used to resolve a marital dispute. Being able to classify blood types through dried blood stains created the opportunity for stronger evidence. -
John Larson & Leonarde Keeler
In 1921, John Larson and Leonarde Keeler developed a design for a portable polygraph. This made the investigating procedure more efficient, which could lead to faster results or convictions. -
August Vollmer
In 1924, August Vollmer enacted the first American police crime laboratory in Los Angeles, California. This was important because it gave forensic scientists the space they needed, as the FBI didn't even have a crime laboratory at this point. -
Calvin Goddard
Calvin Goddard is responsible for many forensic advances, especially in the field of ballistics. He helped to establish the first independent forensic crime laboratory in the US. Because of Goddard's extensive knowledge, he was also called on to help investigations such as the Sacco and Vanzetti case and the St. Valentine's Day massacre. -
Albert S. Osborn
In 1942, Albert S. Osborn founded the American Society of Questioned Document Examiners and became the organization's first president. The ASDQE remains the oldest and largest organization dedicated to forensic science examination. -
Kary B. Mullis
In 1985, Kary B. Mullis invented the polymerase chain reaction, which is used to quickly and largely duplicate small amounts of DNA. The PCR allows forensic scientists to study DNA more easily and effectively, which can make cases easier to solve. In 1993, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. -
