Forensic Science History

Introduction to Forensic Science History

The combination of a medical and legal approach to dealing with crimes used in the United States today had its origin in England in the 12th century, when King Richard I established the Office of the Coroner. Although the coroner’s main duty was to keep a record of all criminal matters in the county, he was also responsible for investigating all deaths thought to be the result of suicide or homicide.

With time, the need for a more scientific investigation of unnatural deaths became apparent, and coroners began calling on physicians for help. Over the centuries, it became clear that medical schools needed to prepare doctors for this responsibility. As a result, in 1807 the University of Edinburgh in Scotland established a Department of Legal Medicine.

The early American colonists brought the coroner system with them, including the appointment of coroners by a representative of the crown. After the formation of the United States, elected officials appointed coroners. As medical involvement in the investigations of violent and unexplained deaths increased, communities began to require that the individual in charge of such investigations have a specific academic background. In 1877 Massachusetts adopted a statewide system requiring that the coroner’s office be replaced by an Office of the Medical Examiner, to be headed by a physician. A number of other states also adopted this requirement. In 1915 New York City established a comprehensive program in which the medical examiner was specifically authorized to investigate all deaths resulting from criminal violence, accidents, or suicides, and those that occurred suddenly to people who appeared to be in good health.

Forensic science as practiced today is a high-technology field using electron microscopes, lasers, ultraviolet and infrared light, advanced analytical chemical techniques, and computerized databanks to analyze and research evidence.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Forensic Science History in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Forensic Science History

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