Historical References and Doctrinal Precedents of Forensic Science Worldwide

Forensic science owes its origins to the people who developed the principles and techniques needed to identify and compare physical evidenceas, well as those who recognized the need to consolidate these principles into a coherent scientific discipline. Evidence of forensic science dates back to antiquity, but it was not until the 19th century that science was rigorously applied to criminal cases through advances in the way criminal cases were handled, which improved the validity of the conclusions drawn from investigations by the judicial authorities. Many steps have also been taken to organize specialist areas within police departments, including forensic science. Furthermore, forensic science has literary roots, as evidenced by the forensic novels written by famous authors, which were based on the methods, techniques and tactics used in forensic science. This article contains a brief analysis of some of the key moments and doctrinal precedents in the history of forensic science, seen in the evolution of its subfields. Such insights aim to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the current state and trends of this science.