Forensic Science
THE HISTORY OF FORENSICS
“Eureka”
Early use of Forensics
 Legend of Archimedes (287-212 BC) – He
evaluated using measurement and weight
and determined that a crown was not
completely made of gold as was claimed.
 Xi Yuan Lu – “Collected Cases of Injustice
Rectified” (1186-1249) China.
1776
 Swedish chemist Carl Scheele devised a way
of detecting arsenous oxide, in corpses.
 German Chemist Valentin Ross learned to
detect the poison in the walls of a victim’s
stomach.
Sherlock Holmes
 Fictional Character created by Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle in works produced from 1887 to
1915.
 He used Forensic science as one of his
investigating methods. Conan Doyle credited
the inspiration for Holmes on his teacher at
medical school. He was a gifted surgeon and
forensic detective Joseph Bell.
Forensics Today
 DNA – Every cell has DNA in it, like your
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fingerprints, is different from everyone else’s.
Fingerprinting
Footprints
Chromatography- Pigment that is a chemical
that makes something look a certain color.
pH Testing- Acidic or basic
Tape lift – Evidence is lifted on adhesive tape
to help solve crimes.
Forensic Science Vocabulary
 Forensic – Having to do with a court of law.
 Criminalist – anyone who uses science to
analyze, compare, and interpret physical
evidence for use in court.
 Forensic Scientists – Enter investigations at the
beginning. All evidence must be found
photographed and collected to be studied in the
lab.