Forensic History and Legal Systems

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Questions and Answers

What significant event regarding the use of fingerprinting occurred in the early 1900s?

The introduction of DNA analysis in judicial settings

The establishment of the Chair of Medicine Legale

The founding of the Journal Archives de L'Anthropology Criminelle

The beginning of fingerprinting as a forensic tool (correct)

Which of the following statements about experts in investigating officers is true?

Experts are only useful in certain types of cases.

Experts have no significant role in deciding cases.

Experts are considered auxiliary to investigating officers. (correct)

Experts frequently undermine the findings of investigating officers.

Which of the following forensic techniques was introduced after DNA extraction?

Fingerprint isolation

Toxicology analysis

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (correct)

Anthropological profiling

What was a notable forensic approach highlighted in the context of the 2004 Spain Train Bombings?

Isolation of fingerprints from the detonator Signup and view all the answers

What technique was criticized for being unscientific in forensic investigations?

Conventional fingerprinting methods Signup and view all the answers

What was a common method for determining evidence in ancient Egyptian law?

Consultations with oracles and # of reliable witnesses -- majority rule Signup and view all the answers

What principle is Archimedes known for that relates to forensic science?

Principle of buoyancy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about ancient Jewish law is correct?

It did not permit the use of torture. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant development in forensic science during the 17th century?

Elimination of natural causes in forensic examination Signup and view all the answers

What document or principle is related to the idea of weighing evidence in European Medieval Law?

Process of summation of evidence Signup and view all the answers

Which advancement in toxicology was achieved in the 18th century?

Development of the March test for Arsenic Signup and view all the answers

What method was introduced by Bertilion in 1879 for identification purposes?

Anthropometry Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Roman law is associated with competence in testimony?

The Onus of Proof relevant to wealth Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable characteristic of trial methods in ancient history?

Widespread acceptance of eyewitness evidence Signup and view all the answers

What practice was still utilized during the European Medieval period despite evolving legal theories?

Use of torture Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ancient History

Little forensic evidence existed, relying on confessions (often coerced) and eyewitness accounts (influenced by social status). Torture may have been used.
Egyptian law used multiple witnesses and oracles in ambiguous cases; post-mortem examinations were part of their legal process.
Jewish religious law rejected confessions and prohibited torture.
Roman law used wealth as a factor in determining credibility; extensive use of torture by Roman judiciaries.
Archimedes' principle (buoyancy force equals weight of displaced fluid) was a significant discovery regarding forensic science principles.

European Medieval Law

Medieval law developed a theory of evidence with differing grades of proof, introducing the concept of a jury.
Some uncertainty methods (assessing evidence), like summation or schemes, were employed. Torture, however, remained a common practice.

17th Century

Quaestiones Medico-legales, a text by Zacchia, combined medical science and forensic medicine practices for the Papal States. This involved eliminating natural causes from a death analysis to better find factors of poisoning or other disorders.

18th Century

Toxicology developed with the work of Orfila, a chemist who created basic principles for modern medicine. improved analysis techniques for medical testing, like arsenic.

19th Century

Anthropometry (Bertillon's method for identification) provided a systematic way to measure body dimensions with some accuracy.
Early forensics began investigating deaths for various causes.
Lacassagne emphasized the importance of collaboration between science experts and law enforcement officials, and considered scientific investigation a critical component of deciding a case.
Development of ballistics. Forensic chemistry and identification of physical materials became more developed.

20th Century

DNA extraction (1983), DNA evidence (like in the case of Tommie Lee Andrews, and Colin Pitchfork), and PCR became pivotal in forensics.
Comparison of evidence became critical to identify criminal cases and develop new principles for forensics.
Fingerprint testing, developed in 2004, significantly aided in identifying suspects in the event of criminal activity, like train bombings. Unscientific practices, or the improper application of scientific methods and approaches, also took place.

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Description

Explore the evolution of forensic evidence and legal practices from ancient times through the medieval period to the 17th century. This quiz covers the use of torture, the role of confessions, and significant contributions to forensic science. Test your knowledge on how different cultures approached justice and evidence.