Timeline History of Forensic Science by

BCE

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-15 22:22:02 UTC

Evidence of Fingerprints in early paintings and rock carvings of prehistoric humans.

This is important because it is the first known attempt at forensic science. It can be used to show how far we have come from early paintings.

1248

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-15 22:31:32 UTC

A Chinese book, Hsi Duan Yu, contains a description of how to distinguish drowning from strangulation. This was the first recorded application of medical knowledge to the solution of crime.

This is important because it was the first time ever that medical knowledge was used to solve a crime in the history of forensic science.

1863

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-15 22:39:09 UTC

The German scientist Schonbein first discovered the ability of hemoglobin to oxidize hydrogen peroxide making it foam. This resulted in first presumptive test for blood.

This is important because it was the first presumptive test for blood, which is an important part of crime solving.

1892

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-15 22:42:09 UTC

Juan Vucetich, an Argentian police researcher, developed the fingerprint classification system. Argentina was the first country to replace anthropometry with fingerprints.

This is important because this shifted a change in forensic science from anthropometry to fingerprints.

1896

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-15 22:49:19 UTC

Sir Edward Richard Henry developed the print classification system that would come to be used in Europe and North America. He published Classification and Uses of Finger Prints.

This is important because in present time we use the classification print system to help find criminals and solve mysteries.

1905

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-15 22:50:47 UTC

President Theodore Roosevelt established the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This is important because this government agency is based on forensic science that is used to find criminals and murderers.

1950

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-15 22:56:12 UTC

August Vollmer, chief of police of Berkely, California, established the school of criminology at the University of California at Berkeley. Paul Kirk presided over the the major of criminalistics within the school.

This is important because this was the first time a major for forensic science was created for the future generation.

1977

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 03:49:53 UTC

The FBI introduced beginnings of its Automated Fingerprint Identification System with the first computerized scans of fingerprints.

This is important because this was the first computer scans of fingerprints, which allowed agents to compare prints left on crime scenes easier.

1986

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 03:54:21 UTC

The first use of DNA to solve a crime, Jeffreys used DNA profiling to identify Colin Pitchfork as the murderer of two young girls in the English Midlands. DNA was first used to exonerate an innocent suspect.

This is important because it marks the first time DNA was used to accuse a murder and showed the development of forensic science.

1992

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 03:58:57 UTC

The FBI contracted with Mnemonic Systems to developed drugfire, an automated imaging system to compare marks left on cartridge cases and shell casings. The ability to compare fired bullets was added.

This is important because this was a huge improvement for forensics and finding gun shells.

1996

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 04:01:56 UTC

The FBI introduced computerized searches of the AFIS fingerprint database. Live scan and card scan devices allowed interdepartmental submissions.

This is important because it allowed for a large database to store everyone's fingerprints in one space and be able to find criminals easier.

2001

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 04:08:12 UTC

Technology speeds up DNA profiling time, from 6-8 weeks to 1-2 days.

This is important because it speeds up the process when investigating for criminals from the crime scene.

2008

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 04:11:40 UTC

A way for scientists to visualize fingerprints even after the print has been removed is developed, relating to how fingerprints can corrode metal surfaces.

This is important because it allows investigators to have more evidence when they are provided with enough.

2011

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 04:17:47 UTC

Michigan State University develops software that automatically matches hand-drawn facial sketches to mug shots stored in datatbases.

This is important because it makes it easier to get a perfect match on a suspect rather than the naked eye.

2018

cdsalcedo1 — 2024-02-16 04:23:09 UTC

The arrest of Joseph DeAngelo as the suspected Golden State Killer in 2018 brought the investigative use of genetic genealogy to the world’s attention. Genetic genealogy has since been used to generate investigative leads in nearly 200 cold cases and some active investigations.

This is important because this case has helped many other cold cases get solved through genetic genealogy.