History of Modern Forensics

When was Modern Forensics Born?

"Forensic" (adjective), according to my compact Oxford English Dictionary, relates to or denotes the application of scientific methods to the investigation of crime. Nowadays, with the sad and scary proliferation of crimes anywhere in our world, forensic science (or forensics, in short), is as active as ever - calling for the application of broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system.

History tells us that during the Roman times, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before a group of public individuals in the forum. Basing on both sides of the story, both the person accused of the crime and the accuser would give speeches. And of course, the individual with the best argument and delivery would determine the outcome of the case. That was then.


In modern or present use, the word "forensics" in terms of forensic science can be considered correct since "forensic" is effectively a synonym for "legal" or anything related to the courts of law.


Where did Modern Forensics begin in the 20th century scenario?

The day was June 23, 1934.  William Bayly was convicted of murder in New Zealand. Having been alerted to the disappearance of farmers Sam and Christabel Lakey of Ruawaro, New Zealand, police discovered Christabel Lakey's body in one of the farm duckponds with blood stains also found on the property. Police were led to believe that Sam Lakey must have been shot and his body removed.

William Bayly: The Suspect who Protested Innocence

Suspicion fell on William Bayly, a neighbour, who had history of arguments with the Lakeys.  Over and over, Bayly protested his innocence. Eventually, police found the Lakeys' rifles on Bayly's property, and a drum containing charred remains (reduced to ashes), fragments of bone and hair, and lead pellets from a shotgun. Bayly was arrested. He continued to protest his innocence.

Forensic Scientists Establish Tests as Sam Lakey's Body

Bayly, in the subsequent trials, contended that the remains were those of animals. However, forensic scientists were able to establish the body as Sam Lakey's. A calf in a similar drum was cremated, then they conducted exhaustive tests on the original hair and bone fragments which proved that in origin they were human.

More Tests and Evidence Gathered

Numerous pieces of evidence were gathered. Aside from ballistics test, photography of crime scene was also used which proved that Lakey had been murdered on his own property.

On June 23, 1934, William Bayly was convicted and sentenced to hang, still protesting his innocence despite the strong circumstantial evidence from forensics that had convicted him.

Since then, authorities with police forensics involved in the case have set new standards. The verdict reached on forensic evidence alone set a worldwide precedent.

Sources:

• Dateline. NSW, Australia: Millenium House P/L (2006)


• Forensics Timeline.  Accessed Sept 25, 2011.