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Forensics Collection (#6)

Forensics, the fascinating field that unravels mysteries through scientific investigation, has a rich history dating back centuries

Background imageForensics Collection: Sequencing genes, conceptual artwork

Sequencing genes, conceptual artwork. Autoradiogram (orange) surrounded by a green glow. Autoradiograms show the order of nucleotide bases (basic building blocks)

Background imageForensics Collection: DNA fingerprint

DNA fingerprint. Conceptual image representing the individuality of DNA, showing the letters of the genetic code superimposed on a fingerprint

Background imageForensics Collection: DNA and red blood cells

DNA and red blood cells, conceptual computer artwork

Background imageForensics Collection: Researcher holding an autoradiogram

Researcher holding an autoradiogram
MODEL RELEASED. Researcher holding an autoradiogram

Background imageForensics Collection: Rock painting

Rock painting. Computer illustration of a handprint, a fingerprint and the face of an aboriginal child seen with a rock painting of hunters. Aborigines are the native population of Australia

Background imageForensics Collection: False colour TEM and fingerprint of soot (air)

False colour TEM and fingerprint of soot (air)
Soot identification for pollution control. High- resolution transmission electron micrograph (HRTEM) of a particle of soot from wood or coal burning (left) with its derived signature

Background imageForensics Collection: DNA autoradiograms

DNA autoradiograms

Background imageForensics Collection: DNA autoradiogram

DNA autoradiogram

Background imageForensics Collection: False colour TEM and fingerprint of soot (diesel)

False colour TEM and fingerprint of soot (diesel)
Soot identification for pollution control. High- resolution transmission electron micrograph (HRTEM) of a particle of soot from a diesel engine (left) with its derived signature

Background imageForensics Collection: Footprint forensics, 19th century

Footprint forensics, 19th century
Footprint forensics. Artwork from the tenth volume (second period of 1892) of the French popular science weekly La Science Illustree

Background imageForensics Collection: Handprint forensics, 19th century

Handprint forensics, 19th century
Handprint forensics. Artwork from the tenth volume (second period of 1892) of the French popular science weekly La Science Illustree

Background imageForensics Collection: Fingerprints, historical image

Fingerprints, historical image. Early 20th Century lithograph of male fingerprints (right hand). Published in A treatise on medical jurisprudence by George Vivian Poore (1902)

Background imageForensics Collection: Alphonse Bertillon, French police officer

Alphonse Bertillon, French police officer
Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914), French police officer and biometrics pioneer. Bertillon developed a general identification system in 1883 for use by the police

Background imageForensics Collection: Police identity features, 19th century

Police identity features, 19th century
Police identity features, 19th-century artwork. Various shapes of nose, ears, face and forehead, as used by the police to identify criminals who claim false identities

Background imageForensics Collection: Fingerprint record card

Fingerprint record card. Fingerprints are formed from the ridges on the skin of human fingertips. These ridges form a distinct and unique pattern

Background imageForensics Collection: Digital facial composite software

Digital facial composite software
Forensics. A forensics officer with facial composite software in a police station. Facial composite software provides a witness or victim with a wide variety of possible features from which a

Background imageForensics Collection: Dusting an object for fingerprints

Dusting an object for fingerprints
Fingerprints. A forensics officer dusting an object for fingerprints. Fingerprints are made by the patterns of ridges in the skin of the tips of the fingers

Background imageForensics Collection: Checking fingerprints

Checking fingerprints
Fingerprints. A forensics officer checking fingerprints against a database of known criminals. Fingerprints are made by the patterns of ridges in the skin of the tips of the fingers

Background imageForensics Collection: Forensic identification, conceptual image

Forensic identification, conceptual image
Hand print DNA assay

Background imageForensics Collection: Anthropometry, 19th century

Anthropometry, 19th century
Anthropometry. Man having the length of his ear measured. This measurement, along with other standard measurements of body parts

Background imageForensics Collection: Blood spectra, 19th century artwork

Blood spectra, 19th century artwork. These spectra, showing the results of analysis of blood samples, are from Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology (London)

Background imageForensics Collection: Deadly nightshade, 19th century artwork

Deadly nightshade, 19th century artwork
Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), 19th century artwork. This botanical drawing is from Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology (London)

Background imageForensics Collection: Foxglove, 19th century artwork

Foxglove, 19th century artwork
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), 19th century artwork. These botanical drawings are from Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology (London)

Background imageForensics Collection: Hemlock, 19th century artwork

Hemlock, 19th century artwork
Hemlock (Conium maculatum), 19th century artwork. These botanical drawings are from Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology (London)

Background imageForensics Collection: Biometric security, artwork

Biometric security, artwork
Biometric security. Conceptual computer artwork showing a human hand and fingerprint overlaid with a printed circuit board (PCB)

Background imageForensics Collection: Chloroform analysis, 19th century artwork

Chloroform analysis, 19th century artwork. Apparatus for the detection of chloroform in forensic investigations. This artwork is from Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology (London)

Background imageForensics Collection: Arsenic detection, 19th century artwork

Arsenic detection, 19th century artwork. Apparatus for the detection of arsenic in forensic investigations. This artwork is from Text-book of forensic medicine and toxicology (London)

Background imageForensics Collection: Gun crime, conceptual image

Gun crime, conceptual image. Computer artwork of a chalk outline of a gun, representing the deadly effects of gun crime

Background imageForensics Collection: Security scanning technology, artwork

Security scanning technology, artwork
Security scanning technology, computer artwork. Silhouette of a human hand with five squares (white) representing the scanning of the fingerprints on the tip of the digits of the hand

Background imageForensics Collection: Cheek squamous cells, SEM

Cheek squamous cells, SEM
Cheek squamous cells. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of squamous (flattened) skin cells from the inside of the cheek

Background imageForensics Collection: Metropolitan Police scientific investigator

Metropolitan Police scientific investigator
A Metropolitan Police scientific investigator examining evidence from a crime scene

Background imageForensics Collection: Metropolitan Police forensic investigators

Metropolitan Police forensic investigators
Two Metropolitan Police forensic investigators gathering evidence at a crime scene

Background imageForensics Collection: Police Photography

Police Photography
Police photographers at work at New Scotland Yard photographing evidence. Metropolitan Police

Background imageForensics Collection: Photographic Department

Photographic Department
New Scotland Yard photographic department Metropolitan Police

Background imageForensics Collection: A group of police wearing protective suits in Carnforth UK

A group of police wearing protective suits in Carnforth UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock




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Forensics, the fascinating field that unravels mysteries through scientific investigation, has a rich history dating back centuries. In the 17th century, pioneers began studying fingerprint types, recognizing their uniqueness and potential as evidence in criminal investigations. Fast forward to modern times, where even British passports utilize fingerprint scanners for enhanced security. The fusion of art and forensics is evident when examining artwork depicting fingerprint scanners. These captivating pieces capture the intersection between technology and human identity. Similarly, a 19th-century masterpiece showcases a delicate poppy flower alongside an intricate thumbprint - symbolizing nature's beauty intertwined with individuality. Forensic entomology takes us into the microscopic world as we witness blowflies laying eggs under scanning electron microscopes (SEMs). This technique aids investigators in determining time of death by analyzing insect activity on decomposing bodies. Human fingerprints remain one of the most reliable forms of biometric scans utilized in forensic investigations today. Each ridge and whorl tells a unique story about an individual's identity or involvement in a crime scene. DNA autoradiograms provide another artistic perspective on forensics; these visual representations showcase DNA patterns like abstract masterpieces. They serve as crucial evidence linking suspects to crimes or exonerating innocent individuals from wrongful accusations. In exploring historical cases, we encounter Edward Pritchard, a notorious Scottish murderer whose conviction was largely based on fingerprint evidence - marking a significant milestone in forensic history. Thumbprint forensics emerged during the 19th century when experts recognized that each person possesses distinct patterns on their thumbs alone. This breakthrough paved the way for identifying criminals solely through thumbprints before expanding to include all fingers' prints later on. From ancient techniques like studying fingerprints to cutting-edge technologies such as DNA analysis and biometric scans, forensics continues to evolve rapidly. As it progresses hand-in-hand with science and artistry alike, this captivating discipline remains at the forefront of solving mysteries and bringing justice to the world.