Science Timeline

  • The 1800s

    Development of the first microscope and tests for the presence of blood in a forensic context The first recorded use of fingerprints to solve a crime The first use of photography for identification of criminals Forensic science was significantly applied in 1888, when doctors in London, England, were allowed to examine the victims for wound patterns.
  • The 1900s

    Early forensic specialists were self-taught
  • Early 1930s

    Universities began offering courses and degrees in criminalistics and police science
  • 1980s

    Ended with a few DNA firsts
  • Period: to

    The 1986 - 1987

    Introduction of DNA profiling in the U.S.
  • 1994

    The DNA Databank legislation was enacted. By the end of the decade, significant progress had been made in the utilisation of DNA analyses in casework in the State Police Laboratory System.
  • 21st Century

    The science of forensics is now recognized as a critical ingredient in law enforcement and the solution of crimes
    Protecting a crime scene from contamination and gathering and interpreting evidence accurately have become some of the most critical ingredients in crime-solving
    Advances in technology are being applied to the finite and exacting field of forensic science, a field in which technical competency is achieved only by the synthesis of a number of factors