Who Discovered Forensic Pathology?
Forensic pathology is the science by means of which experts determine a cause of death. This is done by examining a corpse. The pathologist performs an autopsy when the medical examiner or coroner requests it due to a criminal investigation or sometimes a civil law case. The forensic pathologist may also be called upon to help identify the victim.
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Forensics in Ancient Times
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Forensics for the purpose of identification has been practiced since prehistoric times. Evidence to support this includes fingerprints in rock carvings and early paintings. Prehistoric pictures have been found in Canada tht depict the lines and ridges on the palms and fingers of human hands. In ancient China, thumb prints were used on clay seals to prove the identity of the sender.
First Recorded Forensic Information
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The first recorded evidence of forensic pathology comes from China and is written in a book entitled Hsi Duan Yu (The Washing Away of Wrong). The book details how it is possible to distinguish strangulation form drowning. This is the first known recording of information that applies medicine to crime-solving practices.
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The Sixteenth Century
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In 1507, a book titled Constitution Bambergensis Criminalis was circulated in the Bishop of Bamberg's diocese in Italy. The book described the value of examination of the victim's body in cases of infanticide and other bodily harm. During the 17th century, renowned French surgeon Ambroise Pare (1509--1590), wrote and published Reports in Court. This book is considered to be the first definitive test on legal medicine.
The 18th Century
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In 1775, chemist Karl Wilhelm Schelle (1742--1786), discovered a technique for changing arsenious oxide to arsenious acid. The procedure became vital in the forensic detection of arsenic poisoning.
The 19th Century
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In 1813, French medical professor Mathieu Bonaventure Orfila (1787--1853) published Traite des Poisons. This is considered to be a founding text on toxicology and denotes the first use of a microscope to examine semen and blood stains.
In 1829, Sir Robert Christison (1797--1882), Edinburgh's leading professor of forensic medicine, published Treatise on Poisons, which became a long-standing leading work on toxicology.
Henry Goddard of Scotland Yard beceme the first detective to catch a murderer using bullet comparison in 1835. Temperature graphs were used for the first time to determine the time of death in 1880.
Recent Developments in Forensic Pathology
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In 1901, Karl Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize for discovering human blood types. Max Richter later developed a test to type stains for forensic science. Edmond Locard outlined a fingerprint identification technique using 12 matching points on the print. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick identified the structure of DNA. Later in 1948, Sir Alec Jeffreys designed a technique called DNA fingerprinting, which became the 20th century's greatest forensic discovery.
Conclusion
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There is no real "discoverer of forensic pathology." Rather, many different people contributed to the development of the field.
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