The Early History of Crime Scene Investigation

CSI has been in practice for many years. Today, CSI has become much easier with the advance in technology and contribution from literature. The “Early History of CSI” videos clearly discuss the scientists and authors who had a major influence on the development of modern CSI. Some of the authors or scientists who are discussed in the videos include Edmond Locard, Alphonse Bertillon, Hans Gross, and Sherlock Holmes. This paper discussed how these individuals contributed to the development of early CSI. Edmond Locard is well known for establishing the first CSI laboratory in Lyon, France in 1923. Following this establishment, the founder of the FBI established the first CSI laboratory in the United States in 1932. Alphonse Bertillon is the first scientist to apply anthropometry in the field of CSI. Sherlock Holmes is well known for inspiring real-life CSI. Although he was not a forensic scientist, Gross saw the attributes of applying various area of science in CSI. All these authors or scientists significantly contributed to the development of CSI. Crime scene investigation (CSI) has been practised for thousands of years. Before the advent of technology, criminal investigators or forensic scientists were using forensics to solve a crime. Today, CSI has become much easier with the advance in technology and literature. A number of scientists, authors and literature have played a key role in developing early CSI. The “Early History of CSI” videos clearly outline the history of CSI. More specifically, the videos outline the scientists, authors, and literature that have significantly contribute to the field of CSI. This includes Edmond Locard, Alphonse Bertillon, Hans Gross, and Sherlock Holmes (Buckler, 2012). This paper will into providing a reaction to the videos and the contents in the videos. In the early 2000s, the study of physical and biological evidence thrust the development of CSI to new heights. Edmond Locard established the first CSI laboratory in 1910 in Lyon, France (Buckler, 2012). Around the world, advancement in CSI methods was expanded and developed. The U.S. established its first CSI laboratory. The laboratory was established in 1923 in Los Angeles, New York City (Buckler, 2012). In 1932, the first Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) laboratory was established (Buckler, 2012). The founder of the FBI established the laboratory. Over the years, scientist developed chemical tests to advance further studies of physical and biological evidence of a crime. However, Alphonse Bertillon, a French law enforcement officer, is regarded as the first scientist of modern CSI (VideoJugCreativeCulture, 2011). Bertillon developed and applied an anthropological technique called anthropometry in the field of CSI. Anthropometry predated fingerprints. This technique is based on physical measurements. Before the development of anthropometry, forensic investigators identified criminals only by name or photographs. In addition to the contributions made by scientists, literature also played a key role in developing early CSI. Several authors have contributed significantly to the development of early CSI. One of the authors is Sherlock Holmes. Holmes had a major influence on the development of modern CSI. Although he was not a forensic scientist, Holmes inspired real-life CSI. In fact, a significant number of practitioners in the 20 th -century point to Holmes as an inspiration for joining the field of CSI (VideoJugCreativeCulture, 2011). The second scientist who had a major influence on the development of modern CSI is Hans Gross. In an English translation of Gross’s book titled “A Criminal Investigation,” some of the techniques that can be used in CSI are outlined (VideoJugCreativeCulture, 2011). Although he was not a forensic scientist, Gross saw the attributes of applying various area of science in CSI. This includes securing a crime, collecting evidence, and preserving it for analysis. Today, the book is still used in CSI and serves as a key reference for many areas in CSI. With the advancements in technology and literature, CSI has become much easier. However, despite these advancements, CSI still takes a human brain to rationalize and conceptualize what might have transpired at a crime scene. In other words, the human factor always comes into play during CSI. Forensic investigators ought to take advantage of innovative technologies and information provided by literature to correctly analyze, retrieve and collect evidence from a crime scene. 

References 

Buckles, T. (2012).  Crime scene investigation, criminalistics, and the law . Nelson Education. 

VideoJugCreativeCulture. (2011). Early History of CSI [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.dailymotion.com