Forensic Science

“Eureka” Early use of Forensics  Legend of Archimedes ( BC) – He evaluated using measurement and weight and determined that a crown was not completely made of gold as was claimed.  Xi Yuan Lu – “Collected Cases of Injustice Rectified” ( ) China.

1776  Swedish chemist Carl Scheele devised a way of detecting arsenous oxide, in corpses.  German Chemist Valentin Ross learned to detect the poison in the walls of a victim’s stomach.

Sherlock Holmes  Fictional Character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in works produced from 1887 to  He used Forensic science as one of his investigating methods. Conan Doyle credited the inspiration for Holmes on his teacher at medical school. He was a gifted surgeon and forensic detective Joseph Bell.

Forensics Today  DNA – Every cell has DNA in it, like your fingerprints, is different from everyone else’s.  Fingerprinting  Footprints  Chromatography- Pigment that is a chemical that makes something look a certain color.  pH Testing- Acidic or basic  Tape lift – Evidence is lifted on adhesive tape to help solve crimes.

Forensic Science Vocabulary  Forensic – Having to do with a court of law.  Criminalist – anyone who uses science to analyze, compare, and interpret physical evidence for use in court.  Forensic Scientists – Enter investigations at the beginning. All evidence must be found photographed and collected to be studied in the lab.