An inside view of the exhibition, showing a central case describing poison testing.

Forensic Science on Trial

2 East Albert H. Small Documents Gallery

Guilty or not guilty? When science enters the courtroom, it brings with it the people and the history that have shaped it. This exhibition explores historic cases and how people influence the way forensic science is used in the pursuit of justice. The artifacts span more than 150 years of trials, represent at least twelve different techniques, and include items from three different “trials of the century.” Visitors will see arsenic tests from the 1872 trial of Lydia Sherman, who was suspected of poisoning three of her husbands and eight children in her care, the first polygraph used for lie detection, and a modern apparatus for testing bite marks on cadavers.

Related Resources

Image Gallery

The entrance to the Forensic Science on Trial exhibition with the oversize text in English and Spanush, "Of, By, For People"
An inside view of the exhibition, showing a central case featuring an evidence kit.
An inside view of the exhibition, showing a central case describing poison testing.
Polygraph with dark paper marked with a vibrating line and notations

Polygraph (cardio-pneumo-psychograph); black tubing, paper, and arm cuff are replicas, 1921

Gift of City of Berkeley Police Department

A framed display with numerous glass vials, with title "Results of chemical examination in the Sherman poisoning case"

Poison tests from Lydia Sherman trial, 1872

A metal bite apparatus surrounded by dozens of white and green teeh molds.

Bite apparatus and teeth molds used in cadaver bite mark studies, 2009–2013

Gift of Dr. Mary A. Bush, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo

This exhibition is made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.