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1248
First Recorded Use of Forensics
"Hsi DuanYu (The Washing Away of Wrongs)" was published in China. It contained information on how to determine if someone was drowned or strangled. Although basic and unaided forensics investigations had probably been transpiring for several hundred years, this book contained the earliest recorded use of medical knowledge in investigations. -
1302
First Autopsies
The first recorded autopsies were performed in Bologna, Italy in 1302, by Dr. Bartolomeo da Varignana. However, they were extremely limited due to lack of scientific advances and legal consequences. -
Invention of the Microscope
The first microscope was invented in Italy in 1590. Whle rudimentarily limited in range and use, later versons would prove to be very advanced. Microscopes have been used to discover things like blood and sperm cells, blood type, and many more factors in forensics. -
Chemistry in Forensics
James Marsh invented one of the earliest known toxicology tests in 1832. Marsh created a test for arsenic, which had previously been the main choice of weapon for many poisonings. -
First Use of Bullet Matching
In 1835, analysts at Scotland Yard used the first known instance of bullet matching--determining the identical form of mass-produced bullets to pinpoint the manufacturer and sale records of like ammunition. -
Forensic Photography
The first mugshots and crime scene photos were used in 1888, part of a growing wave of detectives using photography to keep evidence intact and keep criminal records in the system. -
Jack the Ripper
When Jack the Ripper was terrorizing the streets of London in 1888, doctors and detectives used the process of determining wound patterns to learn more about the case (to no avail). -
First Fingerprint Database
In Argentina in 1892, the world's first forensic database, including fingerprints and even rudimentary dental records, was enacted. -
Discovery of Blood Types
Human blood types (A, B, and O) were discovered in 1900, altough conclusive testing would not be possible for another year or so. -
First Lab
Edmund Locard opened the world's first official forensics lab in Lyon, France. -
Bullet Comparison Microscope
In 1926, the first succesful use of bullet-matching (a process still responsible for the identification of suspects today) in a criminal case was seen. -
Interference-Contrast Microscope
The interference-contrast microscope, used to obtain unmarred biological evidence (cells, fluids, tissue, etc.) was invented in 1935. This is one of the foremost contributors to solving cases involving homocide and sex crimes to this day. -
Teaching of Criminology
UC-Berkley became one of the first American schools to creat a Criminology and Forensics department in 1950. -
Invention of Breathalyzer
The invention of the Breathalyzer--a device used to measure blood-alcohol level--in 1954 led to a new way to discover evidence and cement suspects. -
Scanning-Electron Microscope
The scanning-electron microscope--a device used to develop a high-quality and super-focused detailed image of the surface of a particle or object--was first sent to labs in 1965. -
Federal Rules of Evidence
The FRE, a series of laws controlling the treatment and analysis of evidence in criminal investigations in America, were first passed in 1975. -
DNA Analysis
In 1984, the practice of DNA analysis--essentially studying and comparing genetic code--was discovered and practised by scientists. DNA forensics has been the most revolutionary technique in criminology. -
American DNA Database
America developed its first DNA database, replete with genetics, fingerprints, and more in 1994.