Forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil law. The history of forensic science began with early developments in China and Europe in the 3rd century and 18th century, where scientific methods were first applied to investigate crimes. Over the 19th century, many scientific disciplines were increasingly applied to criminal investigations, including toxicology, fingerprints, and serology. In the 20th century, breakthroughs like DNA profiling revolutionized the field, allowing positive personal identification. Today, modern crime laboratories employ various scientific disciplines and technologies to analyze evidence and assist law enforcement.

1. FORENSIC SCIENCE History & Scope