5 - developments in forensic science

History

When was fingerprinting first used in policing?

1901, when a national fingerprint register was set up.

What system was introduced in 1995 to improve fingerprint identification?

The National Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).

What is the role of Forensic Scientists or Scenes of Crime Officers?

They examine crime scenes and gather forensic evidence, including:

Hair and skin samples

Dust and clothing fibres

Traces of blood

What was one of the first cases where forensic science led to a conviction?

The murderer Buck Ruxton was convicted in 1936 using forensic evidence.

Since when has DNA and genetic fingerprinting been used in policing?

Since the 1980s.

When was the DNA National Database established?

1995.

Who was the first murderer to be convicted using DNA evidence?

Colin Pitchfork in 1988.