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3000 BCE
The First Autopsy
The first known autopsy was preformed in 3000 BC in ancient Egypt -
44 BCE
The First Recorded Autopsy
The first recorded autopsy was performed in 44 BC by Roman physician Antistius on Julius Caesar's body. The autopsy is what revealed that Caesar had been stabbed 23 times and that his death was a result of a wound through his chest -
1247
"Xi Yuan Lu" the First Written Testimony of Using Medicine and Entomology to Solve Crimes
"Xi Yuan Lu" ("The Washing Away of Wrongs") by Song Ci was one of the earliest forms of literature available about the field of forensics. Published in the 13th century in China, the book discusses important topics when it comes to pathology. The book discusses...
- How to preserve evidence during the examination process
- How to make an antiseptic
- How to extract a hidden injury from a dead body and bones
- How to wash a dead body for examination
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The First Toxicology Screening
Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist, developed the first instance of a toxicology screening which was a chemical test to detect arsenic in corpses -
Process Was Successfully Used in a Murder Trial by James Marsh
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Invention of Fingerprint Analysis
The initial theory that every fingerprint is unique was proposed by Henry Faulds and William James Herschel -
Faulds' and Herschel's Theory was Implemented into Criminal Investigation
Francis Galton and Edward Henry implemented this theory into criminal investigation leading to Galton eventually started the first system for classifying fingerprints -
Invention of the Polygraph
In ancient times, the polygraph (lie detector) test examined saliva, the tongue, and the mouth; In ancient India, suspects’ mouth was filled with dry rice (In China they used rice powder.) A guilty person was said to have used less saliva, meaning that if the rice got stuck on top of their mouths they were pronounced guilty
The polygraph as we know it today- which measures heart rate (BP), respiration, and skin conductivity- was invented in 1921 by California policeman, John A. Larson. -
Comparison Microscopes Were Popularized in Forensics
Comparison microscope: a device that allows two objects to be viewed and compared side-by-side. These devices were popularized by scientist Calvin Goddard (known as the "father of forensic ballistics") popularized the use of comparison microscopes in forensics -
The FBI Crime Lab Was Created
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The Usefulness Cheiloscopy in Forensic Science Was Proven
Cheiloscopy was studied in Hungary after a murderer used his head to open a glass door, leaving prints of the red parts of his lips on the glass- this case showed us how useful cheiloscopy was in criminal identification. -
Invention of gunshot residue scan by the Aerospace Corporation
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Alec Jeffreys Creates the First DNA Profiling Test
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The Creation of the "Drugfire" System
The “Drugfire” system was developed by the FBI and Mnemonic Systems. Drugfire is an automated imaging system used to compare marks left on cartridge cases and shell castings and to compare fired bullets with one another.