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1247
13th Century China
The first case ever recorded using forensic science. Forensic entomology was used to find a slasher in 13th century China. Flies were attracted to the blood residue on the killer's sickle (bladed farming tool). -
Mathieu Orfila
Considered the "Father of Toxicology". He published his first work in 1814 called, "Traité des poisons tirés des règnes minéral, végétal et animal; ou, Toxicologie générale" Orfila worked to make chemical analysis a routine part of forensic medicine, and made studies of asphyxiation, the decomposition of bodies, and exhumation. -
William Herschel
Used thumbprints on documents to identify workers in India. -
Alphonse Bertillon
“Father of Criminal Identification”. Developed Anthropometry which uses body measurements to distinguish individuals -
Henry Faulds
Uses fingerprints to eliminate an innocent burglary suspect. -
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Published his first Sherlock Holmes story; Considered the first “CSI”, featured in four novels and 56 short stories, popularized scientific crime-detection methods. -
Francis Galton
Published Finger Prints. Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. Gave proof of their uniqueness. -
Hans Gross
Wrote the first paper describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation. Published Criminal Investigation -
Karl Landsteiner
Discovered the ABO blood groups, later received Nobel Prize. -
Edmond Locard
Incorporated Gross’ principles within a workable crime lab; became the founder and director of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons, France. -
Albert S. Osborn
Published Questioned Documents. Developed the fundamental principles of document examination -
Leone Lattes
Developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood. -
August Vollmer
Established the First Crime Lab in United States, located in Los Angeles -
Calvin Goddard
Developed a comparison microscope; first used to compare bullets to see if fired from the same weapon.
