Certain centuries-old practices in China foreshadow the possibilities of forensic science. There is a story from the Ming dynasty (1368- 1644) that mentions the use of a silver needle as a kind of "litmus test" for the presence of poison, while the practice of using one's fingerprint to sign contracts and other important documents dates back to the Tang dynasty (618-907).
我國刑事鑑識觀念發展得很早，明代古籍《洗冤案》就有以銀針試毒等故事，唐代重要的文件及契約也有以指紋做為簽字或簽名畫押的依據，這些都已有今日鑑識科學的影子。