Introduction to Forensic Science
When in Rome…
“Forensic” comes from the Latin word “forensis” meaning forum.
During the time of the Romans, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before the public.
Both the person accused of the crime & the accuser would give speeches based on their side
of the story.
The individual with the best argumentation would determine the outcome of the case.
Forensic Science defined: The Application of Science to Law
Forensic Science relies on the scientist's ability to supply accurate and objective information
that reflects the events that have occurred at a crime.
Provides information to be used in court
Also known as Criminalistics
Applications of Forensic Science
The application of science to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a
criminal justice system.
Contributors to Forensics
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Father of forensic science
Writer of the works centered around Sherlock Holmes.
Utilized the principles of serology, fingerprinting, firearm identification, document
examination long before their value was recognized by real-life investigators.
Hans Gross
Pressed the importance of the scientific method in investigatons.
Wrote several books detailing the field of forensics
Realized different areas of science could be applied to forensics.
Orfilia
Founded forensic toxicology
First expert on detection of poisons and the effect on animals
Bertillon
Father of Criminal Identification
Developed Anthropometry (1890) which was later replaced by fingerprinting
Anthropometry - taking a series of 11 body measurements as a way of distinguishing
one person from another.
Galton
Did the first definitive study of fingerprints.
Goddard
Firearms examiner
Utilized the comparison microscope to analyze bullets.
Landsteiner
In the early 1900's he discovered that human blood can be grouped into different categories
of A, AB, B, and O.
Lattes
Father of Bloodstain Identification
Developed a procedure for determining the blood group of a dried blood stain.
This method is still used today.
Osborn
Developed the fundamental principles of document examination
Wrote 'Questioned Documents' which describes how to examine documents for evidence
McCrone
Worked extensively with microscopes
Father of Microscopy
Locard
Build the world's first forensic laboratory in France in 1910
Developed the Exchange Principle
Locard’s Exchange Principle
When a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of
evidence occurs.
Criminals can be connected to a crime by particles carried to and from the crime
scene.
Other Major Developments
1200s—A murder in China is solved when flies were attracted to invisible blood
residue on
a sword of a man in the community
1776—Paul Revere identified the body of General Joseph Warren based on the false
teeth he had made for him
1864—Crime scene photography developed
1977—AFIS developed by FBI, fully automated in 1996
 1984— First DNA tests to be applied to a criminal case