History of Forensic Science: Forensic science, also known as forensic pathology, is the application of science to the law. It is described as the branch of medicine used for legal purposes and concerned with determining the cause of death, examination of injuries due to crime and negligence, and examination of tissue samples relevant to crimes. Often times, forensic science uses blood, fingerprints, hair, fiber samples, writing samples, and weapons to determine the cause of death.
Forensic science dates back to the Roman times, coming from a Latin word meaning “forum,” or debate. Although the Romans may have come up with an early version of forensic science around 750BC, it wasn’t until the year 1248 that the first book was published. Chinese author, Xiyuan Jilu, published His Duanyu, or Washing Away of Wrongs. This book was the first written document explaining forensic science.
Forensic science has many areas of study. The most well-known is called forensic biology, which refers to “the analysis of blook and physiological samples. . . for the purpose of identification and individualization.” Within this category, forensic botany (looking at plant life to help gain information about crimes), forensic entomology (study of insects used to gather information about a crime scene), and forensic anthropology (which includes the recovery and identification of human remains). In addition to forensic biology, forensic chemistry is also a popular area of study. Forensic chemistry refers to “the use to instrumental and chemical methods to analyze drugs, alcohol, fire and explosive residues, hair, fibers, glass, soil, paint, and other materials. Included in this is forensic toxicology, or the analysis of drugs, poisons, or alcohol samples taken from people, either living or dead.
Forensic science dates back to the Roman times, coming from a Latin word meaning “forum,” or debate. Although the Romans may have come up with an early version of forensic science around 750BC, it wasn’t until the year 1248 that the first book was published. Chinese author, Xiyuan Jilu, published His Duanyu, or Washing Away of Wrongs. This book was the first written document explaining forensic science.
Forensic science has many areas of study. The most well-known is called forensic biology, which refers to “the analysis of blook and physiological samples. . . for the purpose of identification and individualization.” Within this category, forensic botany (looking at plant life to help gain information about crimes), forensic entomology (study of insects used to gather information about a crime scene), and forensic anthropology (which includes the recovery and identification of human remains). In addition to forensic biology, forensic chemistry is also a popular area of study. Forensic chemistry refers to “the use to instrumental and chemical methods to analyze drugs, alcohol, fire and explosive residues, hair, fibers, glass, soil, paint, and other materials. Included in this is forensic toxicology, or the analysis of drugs, poisons, or alcohol samples taken from people, either living or dead.