History of Forensic Science

  • Karl Landsteiner

    Karl Landsteiner
    PictureKaral Landsteiner first discovers the different human blood groups. Due to his discoveries, he was then awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930.
  • Fingerprinting

    Sir Edward Richars Henry forces the adoption of fingerprint identification to replace anthropometry after being appinted head of Scotland.
  • Research

    Professor R.A. Reiss sets up one of the first academic curricula in forensic science. His forensic photography department eventually grows into the Lausanne Institute of Police Science in Switzerland.
  • Fingerprinting

    Fingerprinting
    PictureThe New York State Prison system begins the first systematic use of fingerprints in the U.S for criminal identification.
  • Blood

    VideoOskar and Rudlof Adler develop a presumptive test for vlood based on benzidine. This test either proves that a substance is definelly not blood or that it is most likely blood.
  • Leaving A Trail

    Locard publishes L'ebquete criminelle et les methodes scientifique, in which there is a passage that may have given rise to the forensic precept that "Every contact leaves a trace".
  • Evidence

    Evidence
    PictureGeorg Popp uses geologic evidence in criminal cases for the first time.
  • FBI

    FBI
    PictureTheodore Roosevelt established the Federal Bureau of Investigation, commonly known as the FBI.
  • Hairy Situation

    Marcelle Lambert and Victor Balthazard publish the first comprehensive haor study. This lead to the conviction of Rosella Rousseau and confession the the murder of Germaine Bichon Balthazard.
  • Bullets

    Bullets
    PictureVictor Balthazard published the first article addressing individualizing bullet markings.
  • MORE BLOOD!

    MORE BLOOD!
    PictureLeone Lattes develops the first antibody test for ABO blood type groups. He used this first in casework to resolve a martial dispute.
  • Vacuum

    Albert Schneider from California fist uses a vacuum to collect evidence.
  • Polygraph

    Polygraph
    PictureJohn Larson and Leonard Keeler designed the portable polygraph.
  • Voiceprint

    Murray Hill initiates the study voiceprint identification. The technique is later refined by L.G. Kersta.
  • Tape Lift

    Max Frei-Sulzer develops the tape lift method of collecting evidence.