HISTORY OF FORENSIC

CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

This fascination with forensic science is not
difficult to understand. Investigators today
have
an amazing array of instruments, equipment,
chemicals, and other devices with which to
examine the most minute evidence.
No criminal can hope to escape from a crime
scene without leaving behind at least some
evidence. A single eyelash may be all that is
necessary for his or her identification.
One of the most important contributors to
the
forensic scientist’s investigative arsenal has
been the science of chemistry.
The purpose of Forensic Chemistry is to
provide
an introduction to some of the most
important
developments in this field over the past few
decades and make it possible for readers to
continue the study of forensic chemistry on
their
own.
HISTORY OF FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY

This fascination with forensic science is not difficult to understand. Investigators today
have an amazing array of instruments, equipment, chemicals, and other devices with which
to examine the most minute evidence. No criminal can hope to escape from a crime scene
without leaving behind at least some evidence. A single eyelash may be all that is necessary
for his or her identification. One of the most important contributors to the forensic
scientist’s investigative arsenal has been the science of chemistry. The purpose of Forensic
Chemistry is to provide an introduction to some of the most important developments in this
field over the past few decades and make it possible for readers to continue the study of
forensic chemistry on their own.

 1858 - The first medical textbook entitled “Manual de Medicina Domestica” printed
that included instructions related to medico-legal practice by Spanish Physicians. Dr.
Rafael Genard y Mas was the Chief Army Physician.
 1871 - The teaching of legal medicine was included as an academic foundation
subject in the School of Medicine at University of Sto. Tomas.
 March 3, 1876 - The King of Spain, by virtue of the Royal Decree No. 188, created the
position of“Medico Titulares” that is in charge of public sanitation and aid in the
medico-legal administration of justice. Forensic physicians were appointed.
 December 15, 1884 - Creation of a Committee to study mineral waters of Luzon by
Gen. Joaquin Jovellar; Anacleto del Rosario as the chemist
 September 13, 1887 - Laboratorio Municipal de Manila was created managed by
Direccion General de Administracion Civil that is controlled by Gobierno de
Provincias.
 Functions: Analyses of Food, Water, Materials from standpoint of Public Health and
Legal Medicine, and Specimens for Clinical Purposes.
 June 17, 1888 - Appointment of Anacleto del Rosario as Director; Creation of
Laboratorio Medico-legal: under the Judicial branch of government; under the
direction of a physician; assisted by a pharmacist-chemist; Ulpian Rodriguez as first
chemist
 1894 - Rules regulating the services of the “Medico Titular y Forences” were
published. Medico-legal laboratory was created. Creation of Laboratorio Medico-legal
under the judicial branch of the government and under the direction of a physician
that is assisted by a pharmacist-chemist. Ulpiano Rodriguez as the first chemist.
 1895 - Antonio Luna established a clinical laboratory. Paralyzed in 1896 because of
the Revolution
Function: Chemical Analysis
 1898 - American Civil Government preserved the system of Spanish Forensic
Medicine.
 1899 - The United States Army put up the first Crime Detection Laboratory. First
Scientific Laboratory on the banks of Pasig River. Lt. R.P. Strong, an American
soldier, took charge for 2 years.
 1901 - The Philippine Commission created the Provincial Insular and Municipal
Board of Health under Act Numbers 157, 307, and 308. Assigned to the respective
inspectors and presidents of the same, medico-legal duties of the “Medico Titulares”
of the Spanish Regime. The Philippine Legislature maintained the pre- existing
medico-legal system in full force in the administrative code. The Manila Police
Department and the Philippine Constabulary created their own crime laboratory to
support their peace keeping activities. Actual Scientific work begun under the
initiative of Dean C. Worcester.
 July 1, 1901 - Bureau of Government Laboratories (BGL) was created by virtue of Act
No.156 by the Civil Commission; Dr. Paul C. Freer became the 1 st director on June 21
but assumed position on September 21.
Purpose of BGL: Performing biological and chemical analyses; Reproduction of
vaccines and sera; and Philippine Constabulary had its own Crime Laboratory.
 1904 - Analyses of counterfeit coins, poison tests, and bloodstain analyses were
performed.
 1908 - The Philippine Medical School included the teaching of Legal Medicine and
Ethics with the head having the salary of 4,000 peso/annum, half time basis and Dr.
Sixto de Los Angeles as the chief.
 March 11, 1915 – The Department of Legal Medicine was created with Dr. Sixto de
Los Angeles as the head. Conferred authority to collect materials in the interest of
Medico legal questions.
 January 10, 1922 - The head of the Department of Legal Medicine and Ethics became
the chief of the medico-legal department of the Philippine
 General Hospital without pay
 1894 - Rules regulating the services of the “Medico Titular y Forences” were
published. Medico-legal laboratory was created. Creation of Laboratorio Medico-legal
under the judicial branch of the government and under the direction of a physician
that is assisted by a pharmacist-chemist. Ulpiano Rodriguez as the first chemist.
 1895 - Antonio Luna established a clinical laboratory. Paralyzed in 1896 because of
the Revolution
 Function: Chemical Analysis 1898 - American Civil Government preserved the system
of Spanish Forensic Medicine.1899 - The United States Army put up the first Crime
Detection Laboratory. First Scientific Laboratory on the banks of Pasig River. Lt. R.P.
Strong, an American soldier, took charge for 2 years.
 1901 - The Philippine Commission created the Provincial Insular and Municipal
Board of Health under Act Numbers 157, 307, and 308. Assigned to the respective
inspectors and presidents of the same, medico-legal duties of the “Medico Titulares”
of the Spanish Regime. The Philippine Legislature maintained the pre- existing
medico-legal system in full force in the administrative code. The Manila Police
Department and the Philippine Constabulary created their own crime laboratory to
support their peace keeping activities. Actual Scientific work begun under the
initiative of DeanC. Worcester. July 1, 1901 - Bureau of Government Laboratories
(BGL) was created by virtue of Act No.156 by the Civil Commission; Dr. Paul C. Freer
became the 1st director on June 21 but assumed position on September 21.
 Purpose of BGL: Performing biological and chemical analyses; Reproduction of
vaccines and sera; and Philippine Constabulary had its own Crime Laboratory.
 1904 - Analyses of counterfeit coins, poison tests, and bloodstain analyses were
performed.
 1908 - The Philippine Medical School included the teaching of Legal Medicine and
Ethics with the head having the salary of 4,000 peso/annum, half time basis and Dr.
Sixto de los Angeles as the chief.
 March 11, 1915 – The Department of Legal Medicine was created with Dr. Sixto de
los Angeles as the head. Conferred authority to collect materials in the interest of
Medico-legal questions. January 10, 1922 - The head of the Department of Legal
Medicine and Ethics became the chief of the medico-legal department of the
Philippine General Hospital without pay
 March 10, 1922 - The Philippine Legislature Enacted Act No. 1043 which then
incorporated in the Administration Code as Section 2465 and provided that the
Department of Legal Medicine of the University of the Philippine (UP) became a
branch of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
 October 14, 1924 – Legal Medicine as branch of the DOJ and at the same time an
integral part of UP.; Act No. 3043
 1924 - All medico-legal functions were consolidated under the Department of Justice
(DOJ).
 March 10, 1922 - The Philippine Legislature Enacted Act No. 1043 which then
incorporated in the Administration Code as Section 2465 and provided that the
Department of Legal Medicine of the University of the Philippine (UP) became a
branch of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
 October 14, 1924 – Legal Medicine as branch of the DOJ and at the same time an
integral part of UP.; Act No. 30431924 - All medico-legal functions were consolidated
under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
 December 10, 1937 – Creation of the Division of Investigation (DI) under the
Department of Justice under the Commonwealth Act No. 181. Medico- legal as part of
the division and Dr. Gregorio T. Lantin as Chief.
 March 31, 1938 – Department of Legal Medicine was abolished and was turned over
to the medico- legal section of the DI.
 October 1939 – Philippine Constabulary having its own medico-legal office with
chemical laboratory; assisting in the investigation of crimes within their jurisdiction.
 December 10, 1937 – Creation of the Division of Investigation (DI) under the
Department of Justice under the Commonwealth Act No. 181. Medico- legal as part of
the division and Dr. Gregorio T. Lantin as Chief.
 March 31, 1938 – Department of Legal Medicine was abolished and was turned over
to the medico- legal section of the DI.
 October 1939 – Philippine Constabulary having its own medico-legal office with
chemical laboratory; assisting in the investigation of crimes within their jurisdiction.
 July 4, 1942 - The late president Jose P. Laurel consolidated all different law-
enforcing agencies by Executive Order (EO).
 May 8. 1944 - Creation of the Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on May 8. 1944 under RA
157. The National Bureau of Investigation was not the only Criminalistic Laboratory
in the Philippines, both the Manila Police Department (MPD) and the Philippine
Constabulary (PC) also operated criminalistic facilities.
 1945 - Immediately after the liberation of the City of Manila, the Provost Marshal of
the United States Army created the Criminal Investigation Laboratory (CIL) with the
office of the Medical Examiner as an integral part and with Dr. Mariano Lara as the
chief medical examiner. Manila Police Department had its own criminalistic facilities
and equipment several years back. National Bureau of Investigation performed
medico-legal works; activation The Philippine Constabulary Crime Laboratory, the
Armed Forces of the Western Pacific (AFWESPAC) activated the Fingerprint
Identification Unit of G-2 (Intelligence) of the Military Police Command of the
Philippine Army. The contributions of the United States Army’s Lt. Nathaniel Darby
and later, Capt. Agapito Figueroa could not be discounted; commented on the many
shortcomings in terms of equipment and facilities.Criminal Investigation Services
(CIS) came into being in the Constabulary with a technical laboratory as one of its
branches.
 Later - Forensic Chemistry added to the Fingerprints Unit. Criminal Investigation
Services (CIS) was established in the Constabulary.
 1947 - Ballistics, photography and finger print record unit was changed to Criminal
Laboratory Branch of the constabulary with Capt. Agapit Figueroa as the chief.
 January 1951 - Medico-legal section was created under Col. Jesus T, Mendoza. Later,
new sections were created into different specialized services (Mobile Unit, Lie
Detection Section and Physical Identification Section.
 1959 - The technical laboratory branch got its independent status and designated as
PC Forensic Laboratory. Philippine Constabulary Laboratory soon became the PNP
Crime Laboratory with the abolition of the PC.
 At Present… -
 Two (2) distinct crime laboratory inthe Philippines: Forensic Chemistry Division
of the NBI and PNP Crime Laboratory.
 PGH – DNA testing and paternal exclusion; and familial inclusion.