When Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered in 1892, forensic science was in its infancy,

but it wasn't as new as you might think.

In fact, Massachusetts, the state where the Bordons were killed, established the first

medical examiner system in 1877. By the 19th century, scientists had developed the earliest

forms of toxicology. While fingerprints had been studied for a couple hundred years,

fingerprint analysis, as part of crime solving, was still fairly new. Sir Francis Galton would

publish his seminal textbook entitled Fingerprints the same year the Bordons were killed.

For the first time, he made the case that a human fingerprint was unique. The first time a

suspect was charged using fingerprint evidence was in 1892 as well. Bullock comparisons and

hair analysis had been established. And while DNA analysis was still a hundred years away,

its existence had been discovered in 1868. Bloodstain pattern analysis was less than a year away.

Criminal forensic science was about to take great leaps forward, but when the Bordons were killed,

it hadn't happened yet. There was no such thing as protecting a crime scene from contamination.

Generally accepted concepts concerning criminal behavior were still rooted in assumptions based

on classist and racist beliefs. Murder was considered the realm of foreigners and the lower class.

Jack the Ripper had terrorized and terrified London four years earlier. And in spite of his apparent

knowledge of human anatomy, it was initially considered unthinkable that he could be an educated man.

People with money, especially women, were not thought capable of committing violent murder.

The case against Lizzy Borden changed that narrative.

Nothing's more British than a copter and a biscuit.

Taking a 15 minute break to reset, recharge and feel better. But the perfect break

needs the perfect biscuit. And let's be honest, as the original and the best,

...