There is a lot of research about the history of forensic science that is being put around the web and after reading all of them I have found out that it is not yet complete, but still we want to know who exactly is the face of forensic science. While there is still continuous research on the origin and use of forensic science, in such a situation we can get a list of the fathers of forensic science based on the research and documents available so far; which are:
Maharshi Charaka
He is the Author of Charaka-samhita. Charaka Samhita is considered to be the most ancient treaties on Ayurveda available till now which have been authored about the seventh century BC. He also elaborated on topics like fetal formation and development, the anatomy of the human body and body functions and defects with the classification of various diseases.
Shushruta
Father of Forensic Medicine (Indian forensic Medicine)
Father of Plastic Surgery/Surgery
He is the writer of Sushruta Samhita. He classified poisons into:
(1) Plant poisons
(2) Animal poisons, and
(3) Artificial poisons
Kautilya
The seventh chapter of the fourth book of Arthashastra deals with the concept of criminal investigation. He also mentioned Modus operandi of criminals.
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the famous Sherlock Holmes novel and stories was a Scottish physician, who has been acknowledged for his significant contribution in the field of forensic science due to his elaborated use of methods.
Edmond Locard
Locard is considered as a father of modern forensic science and criminology. He gave one of the most commonly used theories of forensic science, known as the “Locards Exchange Theory”, which is “Every contact leaves a Trace”.
Sir Bernard Henry Spilsbury Kt
In 20th Centuray Bernard Spilsbury is considered as a father of forensic science because of his immense work in legal justice system solely. he shaped and developed techniques to collect and preserve the evidence and also trained Investigating officers for their better field work so that evidence couldn’t be destroyed.
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Note:
These name of renowned personalities has been mentioned here because of there contribution in Forensic Science even when forensic science was not widely used or known. (The names given here are based on my knowledge.)
Sources:
| 1. | Tewari RK, KV Ravikurnar. Development of Forensic Science in India: A Historical Account. Journal of the Indian Academy of Forensic Sciences 1999;38:17-32. |
| 2. | Tewari RK. Application of Forensic Science in Criminal Justice Administration in the Developing Countries. The Indian Police Journal1999; XLVI:78-83. |
| 3. | Nanda BB, RK Tewari. Development of Forensic Science Services at the State Level. The Indian Police Journal 2000; XLVI-XLVII:109-119. |
| 4. | Iyengar NK. Growth and Development of Forensic Science in India. The Indian Police Journal 1961; (Special Centenary Issue):145-151. |
| 5. | Chatterjee SK. History of Fingerprinting in India, The Indian Police Journal (Special Centenary Issue), 1961, pp 152-157 |
| 6. | Tewari RK, AK Ganjoo. Fifty years of Forensic Science in India: An Introspection, The Indian Police Journal (Special Issue on Indian Police after 50 years of Independence), Vol. XLV, No. 1 & 2, JanJune 1998, pp 105-110. |
| 7. | Tewari RK, KV Ravi Kumar. Nine Decades of Forensic Examination in India, The Indian Police Journal (Special Issue on Indian Police after 50 years of Independence), Vol. XLV, No. 1 & 2, Jan-June 1998, pp 116-122. |
| 8. | State-of-the-art Forensic Sciences: For Better Criminal Justice, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, May 1999. |
| 9. | Forensic Science in India, Bureau of Police Research & Development, New Delhi, 1997. |
| 10. | Tewari RK. Swantantrata Ke Pachas Varshon Men Nyayalayik Vigyan Ki Pragati, Uttar Pradesh Police Patrika; 1998. |
| 11. | Third Report of the National Police Commission, Govt. of India, Chapter XXIV; 1980. pp 40-47. |
| 12. | Misra SC. A Handbook on Police Organization and Administration, BPR&D; 1977. pp 138-140. |
| 13. | https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/295945/the-father-of-forensics-by-colin-evans/#:~:text=About%20The%20Father%20of%20Forensics,investigations%20into%20the%20modern%20age. |
| 14. | http://www.bestforensicscienceschools.com/2009/25-most-influential-people-in-forensic-science/ |
| 15. | http://forensicsciencecentral.co.uk/history.shtml |
| 16. | http://online.lewisu.edu/criminal-social-justice-masters-industry-resources.asp |
| 17. | https://www.ptleader.com/stories/famous-people-in-the-history-of-forensic-science,40242 |
| 18. | https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/forensic-investigation/edmond-locard/ |
| 19. | The Father of Forensics by Colin Evans (2009) |
| 20. | Ramsland K. The Incomparable Witness: Sir Bernard Spilsbury. Forensic Examiner. 2008;17(1):1–70. |
| 21. | Vanezis P. Forensic medicine: past, present, and future. Lancet. 2004;364(Supply 1):8–9. |
| 22. | Kaplan RM. The fallible inflexibility of bernard spilsbury: a charismatic doctor and his discontents. Forensic Res Criminol Int J. 2017;4(2):53-54. DOI: 10.15406/frcij.2017.04.00105 |
| 23. | https://www.britannica.com/topic/Charaka-samhita |
| 24. | Evolution of Forensic Medicine in India, Dr Shilekh Mittal, M.D., DNB, Dr Sonia Mittal, M.D.,Dr Moneeshindra Singh Mittal, M.B.B.S. JIAFM, 2007 – 29(4); ISSN: 0971-0973 |
