History of Forensic Science

Welcome to the history of forensic science page. The aim of this page is to highlight landmark cases, scientific breakthroughs and pioneers within the discipline whose forensic work left a lasting legacy.

Forensic Science Timeline

The history of Forensic science i.e. applying "scientific" principles to legal questions has a long and intriguing history. Notable examples include:

In 44BC following the assassination of Julius Caesar the attending physician proclaimed that of the 23 wounds found on the body ‘only one’ was fatal.

In the 5th century Germanic and Slavic societies were believed to be the first to put down in statute that medical experts should be employed to determine cause of death.

In 1247 the first textbook on forensic medicine is published in China which among others things documents the procedures to be followed when investigating a suspicious death.

In medieval England pressure from the church halted the practice of hanging women thought to be pregnant. A convicted woman could escape the death penalty if she ‘pleaded her belly’ providing a physician could prove that she was in factpregnant.

Inspired by the study of anatomy medicolegal textbooks begin to appear by the end of the 16th century.

The 1887 coroners act ensured that an integral part of the coroners’ role was to determine the circumstances and the medical causes of sudden, violent and unnatural deaths.

1932, chair of legal medicine at Harvard is established.

Click Here To see a more detailed forensic science timeline.

Forensic Science Timeline Video:

History of Forensic Science Articles

Travel back to a time before CSI. This wonderful article from 1921 is essentially a CSI call to arms, which you can read via the following link.

Forensic Science History Article

Forensic Science Pioneers

See following link for information on forensic pioneer Alphonse Bertillon.

Alphonse Bertillon

See following link for information on forensic pioneer Mathieu Orfila.

Mathieu Orfila

Essential History of Forensic Science Reading

Forensic Science: An Encyclopedia of History, Methods, and Techniques by William J. Tilstone

Book Information

From dandruff to DNA, from ammunition to infrared spectrophotometry, forensic scientists employ the commonplace and the esoteric to get their man or woman. Forensic Science: An Encyclopedia of History, Methods, and Techniques is the only comprehensive reference work accessible to nonexperts on this fast-changing and ever-fascinating field of criminological study. Readers will learn how the latest scientific breakthroughs and the well-honed instincts of forensics experts come together to provide the clues and amass the evidence to bring America's most notorious criminals to justice.

From famous firsts in forensics to possible future developments in the science, the expert team of contributors put together by William Tilstone, executive director of the National Forensic Science Technology Center, examines techniques and technologies, key cases, critical controversies, and ethical and legal issues.

See following link for more details:

Forensic Science: An Encyclopedia of History, Methods, and Techniques

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