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History of Forensic Science

Mathieu J. B. Orfila:• Many forensic science specialties can be traced

back to the medicolegal institutes of Europe• One of the most renowned medicolegalist of the

time was Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853)• Mathieu Orfila is best known for

his involvement in the “Lafarge” arsenic poisoning case in France

• He is often referred to as the “father of forensic toxicology”

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History of Forensic Science

Hans Gross:– A magistrate and law professor in Austria– Known for his publications and for introducing

the word “criminalistics”– In 1893, published a Handbook for Magistrates

that greatly influenced the practice of criminal investigations

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History of Forensic ScienceAlphonse Bertillon:• Developed an anthropometric system for human identification in the

1890s• The limitations of this system was

shown by its inability to distinguish between two Leavenworth, Kansas, penitentiary prisoners, Will West & William West

• The Bertillon system was eventually replaced by the fingerprint system being developed by Francis Galton, William Hershel, Edward Henry & others in the late 1800s

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Development of Forensic Science Laboratories

Professor R. A. Riess:• Established a forensic photography laboratory at the University

of Lausanne, Switzerland in 1909

Edmond Locard:• Established one of the world’s

first police crime laboratories in Lyon, France in 1910

• Known for the Locard Exchange Principle

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Development of Forensic Science Laboratories

August Vollmer:• Established a forensic laboratory at the Los

Angeles Police Department in 1923Colonel Calvin Goddard:• Established a crime detection laboratory at

Chicago’s Northwestern University in 1929• Perfected the comparison microscope for

bullet and cartridge case examinations

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Development of Forensic Science Laboratories

J. Edgar Hoover:• Established the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI) forensic laboratory in 1932

New York City (NYC):• The NYC Police

Department Crime laboratory was established in 1934

History of the Local Lab

• Most Crime Labs were established within police agencies and performed – Firearms

– Fingerprints

– Photography

• Missouri State Highway Patrol Lab– Established 1936

• Full service lab system

• No questioned document examiners in Missouri labs

History of the Local Lab

- Formally known as SEMO Regional Crime Laboratory

- served the southeast Missouri region since 1969

- Under direction of chemistry department

- First full time director in 1971

- Prints, firearms, drug analysis

- serving 20 counties, 90 agencies

- Merged with MSHP in 2006

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Development of Forensic Science Organizations

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS)

• Established in 1948• Approximately 5,000 members representing

all forensic science disciplines and specialties

• Started the Journal of Forensic Sciences in 1954

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Development of Forensic Science Organizations

• American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD)

• Established in the early 1970s

• Created a Lab Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB)

• ASCLD/LAB began lab accreditation in 1982

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Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic Pathology:• Pathology is a specialty area of medicine

• Pathology is the study of diseases and the bodily changes caused by the diseases

• Forensic pathologists determine the cause of death (the medical reason why a person died; e.g. asphyxiation)

• Forensic pathologists determine the manner of death (the circum-stances causing death; e.g. homicide)

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Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic Entomology:– Entomology is a branch of biology devoted to the

study of insects

– Forensic entomologists use insects as investigative aids

– By examining insects, larvae or pupae associated with a corpse, knowing the life cycle of insects, and by using the existing environmental factors, forensic entomologists can estimate the time of death

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Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic Odontology:• Odontology is the study of the physiology,

anatomy, and pathology of teeth• Forensic odontologists perform two types of

analyses involving the human dentition– Identify human remains by comparing premortem

and postmortem dental X-rays– Bite mark comparisons (crime scene marks to known

bite marks)

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Forensic Science SpecialtiesForensic Anthropology:• Physical Anthropology is the science

of the human skeleton and how it has evolved over time

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Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic anthropologists:– Can determine whether found remains are

of human or animal origin– Reconstruct the skeleton from found remains– Provide an estimate of age, stature, and

gender– Can sometimes determine racial origin– Detect skeletal abnormalities and any trauma– Can provide information about the cause of

death

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Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic Toxicology:• Forensic toxicology is the study of the effects of

extraneous materials such as poisons and drugs in the body

• Forensic toxicologists must determine both the presence and the amounts of extraneous materials in the body

• Assist the medical examiners in determining the cause of death

• May be involved in the determination of ethanol levels in blood and breath samples

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Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology:• Psychiatry is a branch of medicine concerning the

diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness• Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and

behavior of humans• Forensic psychiatrists & psychologists evaluate

offenders for civil and criminal competence and may be involved in offender treatment programs

• A few specialize in “profiling” of criminal cases, primarily serial murderers and serial rapists

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Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic Engineering:

• Involved in the investigation of transportation related accidents, material failures, and structural failures

Forensic Computer Science:

• Use information located on computers and other electronic devices as investigative aids

• Find hidden or deleted information to determine if internet based crimes have been committed

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Forensic Science SpecialtiesCriminalistics:• Criminalistics involves the examination,

identification, and interpretation of items of physical evidence

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Forensic Science SpecialtiesFour major areas of examination:

– Biological evidence

– Forensic Chemistry

– Pattern evidence

– Other patterns (scene reconstruction)