Examine the timeline (below) and discuss which of the listed technologies you think has made the biggest impact on forensic science. To do this, (Segment A) identify and briefly explain each technology, stating which are inventions and which are discoveries.
Then (Segment B) state which invention or discovery do you think was the most important in changing the way forensic investigations are carried out, or improving the quality of the findings? You will need to do some research before you make your decision, so make sure you explain and justify your reasons using valid research and references.
44BC The first recorded autopsy was that of Julius Caesar 1300s The first forensics textbook was produced. 1600s French doctor Ambroise Pare laid the foundations for modern forensic pathology through his study of trauma on human organs. 1820 Eugene Francois Vidocq pioneered the first use of ballistics and began taking plaster casts of shoe imprints. 1830 Chemist James Marsh used standard scientific testing to determine that a man murdered his grandfather by arsenic poisoning. This assay is now known as the Marsh test. 1890 1910 First use of the Henry System for fingerprint classification. Edmund Locard developed the 12 matching points for fingerprint comparison. He was also responsible for one of the principle tenets of forensic science, that of “every contact leaves a trace”. The first method for determining ABO blood groups from dried bloodstains was developed 1920 Dr Calvin Goddard used comparison microscopy to compare shell casings from the scene of the St Val-entine’s Day Massacre, which led to a raid on Al ‘Scarface’ Capone’s home and the recovery of two of the weapons from the come. 1930s Luminol began to be used in the identification of blood stains. 1980s Development of DNA profiling, and the establishment of DNA databases such as CODIS, which can be used for comparison of DNA profiles recovered from come scenes and suspects.
Present your work in a word (or similar) document. You should write 200-400 words for each segment, plus a reference list. You can use photos or diagrams to help with your presentation.
