关键词: 司法检验史, 科学渊源, 自主性知识, 司法鉴定学

Abstract: Ancient Chinese forensic examination held a leading position in the world for a long time but gradually declined in modern times and was eventually surpassed by the West, resulting in a lack of indigenous theories in China’s current forensic appraisal knowledge system. An analysis of historical materials reveals that ancient Chinese forensic examination was characterized by traits typical of natural history, emphasizing phenomenological recording and empirical accumulation while lacking systematic theoretical construction and scientific rigor. This model historically facilitated judicial practice but failed to promote the formation of a modern scientific system due to the absence of a spirit of in-depth inquiry. To establish an independent knowledge system of forensic scinece in China, it is necessary to proceed from four aspects: the interpretation of historical materials, talent cultivation, knowledge popularization, and the improvement of tradition, thereby promoting innovation in the disciplinary system. Specifically, the disciplinary system should be enhanced by integrating natural historical traditions with modern scientific rationality; a dual-system education approach should be adopted to cultivate both “engineer-type” and “scientist-type” talents, and forensic science content should be strengthened in legal education. Meanwhile, mathematical and logical thinking should be incorporated into technical methodology to advance the modern transformation of forensic science disciplines. The experiences and lessons of ancient Chinese forensic examination provide an important reference for the innovative development of contemporary forensic science knowledge. To build a forensic science disciplinary paradigm with Chinese characteristics, it is crucial to adhere to the essentials while seeking innovation, which will help enhance China’s capacity for constructing an autonomous knowledge system in forensic science.

Key words: history of forensic examination, scientific origins, autonomous knowledge, forensic science