History of Forensic Science

Important People and Dates Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853) Considered the father of Forensic Toxicology Published the first scientific article on the detection of poisons and their effects on animals 1814

Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) Set up first system of personal identification Used body measurements to distinguish one person from another Anthropometry 1879 Considered Father of Criminal Identification

Francis Galton (1822-1911) Undertook first study of fingerprints Published Finger Prints, which contained statistical proof of the uniqueness of fingerprints 1892

Hans Gross (1847-1915) First described the application of scientific disciplines to the field of criminal investigation Titled Criminal Investigation 1893

Albert S. Osborn (1858-1946) Developed fundamental principles of document examination Wrote first significant text in the field Questioned Documents 1910

Leone Lattes (1887-1954) In 1915 he devised simple technique to determine the blood group of a dried blood stain. Blood groups A, B, AB, & O were discovered in 1901 by someone else

Calvin Goddard (1891-1955) Refined the techniques of examining whether a bullet came from a particular gun with a comparison microscope Comparison microscope very important to the modern day firearms examiner ~1930’s

Comparison microscope image

Walter C. McCrone (1916-2002) Educator of thousands of forensic scientists Well known for his work in microscopy Work done from the 50’s to the present

Edmond Locard (1877- 1966) Didn’t we already talk about this guy? Why was his contribution to forensic science significant? Locard Exchange Principle 1904 First Forensic Science Lab 1910

Create a Timeline Using the Guys previously listed, create a timeline of important people and their contributions to forensic science. I’ll give you 1 piece of white paper Use color and make it nice Add your own drawings and pictures too Clarity and neatness counts 15 pts