FORENSIC CHEMISTRY AND TOXICOLOGY Discussion

FORENSIC
CHEMISTRY AND
TOXICOLOGY
POST TEST
Forensic Chemistry
• A branch of Chemistry that deals with
the application of chemical principles in
the solution of crimes. Like the other
forensic sciences, Forensic Chemistry
plays a very important part in the
speedy investigation and in the
administration of justice. It is well-
settled that this Science has an
advantage over extracted confessions,
eyewitnesses and other circumstantial
evidence.
SCOPE
• It deals with the
study and application
of chemical principles
in the solution of the
problem that arises in
connection with the
administration of
justice.
OVERVIEW
This Forensic Science deals
with the application of
Chemistry in the identification
of evidence, it’s physical and
chemical properties.
What can be the possible evidence?
ANSWER:
It includes the collection, preservation, examination, and study of

blood, semen, and other body fluids.
It also includes the examination of dangerous drugs in the body.

Such as liquors, dangerous drugs (ecstasy, methamphetamine,
etc.)
Examination applying Forensic Chemistry
1. Examination of dangerous drugs in the

body. Such as liquors, dangerous drugs
(ecstasy, methamphetamine, etc.)
2. Examination of fake and original products
for the fair competition.
Other examples of examination:
1. Arson investigation
2. Macro etching examination
3. Bullet trajectory
4. Ultraviolet examination
5. Deoxyribonucleic acid or the DNA Test
Tools and Marks
1.Gunshot residues
(such as gunpowder
nitrates, paraffin
test
2.Distance
determination
3.Firearms
examination
Other objects that can be tested
1. Explosive
2. Hair and text fibers
3. Chemical aspects of documents

4. Glass fragments
5. Moulage, metallurgy and petrography
What do you think is the
killer’s choice when it
comes to the chemicals?
1.Arsenic - is
highly toxic in
its inorganic
form. Could be
used for food
poisoning.
What do you think is the
most toxic chemical in
the periodic table
1.Beryllium - is toxic as
both a skin irritant and
an inhaled substance
and can result in
dermatitis, acute
pneumonitis, and chronic
pulmonary disease.
FOUR STAGES OF THE PRACTICE OF FORENSIC
CHEMISTRY
1.Collection or preparation of the

specimen
2.Actual examination
3.The communication of the result of the
examination
4.Court Appearance
COLLECTION OF THE SPECIMEN TO BE
EXAMINED
• The proper collection, preservation,
and transportation of specimens are
essential in the investigation of a
crime.
• The chemist should be the one
collecting the specimen.
Chemist collecting specimen
Collecting, preserving, and

transporting of specimens
FACTORS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED
WHEN COLLECTING SPECIMEN FOR
EXAMINATION:
1. SUFFICIENCY OF SAMPLES
2. STANDARDS FOR COMPARISON
3. MAINTENANCE OF INDIVIDUALITY
4. LABELLING AND SEALING
ACTUAL EXAMINATION OF THE
SPECIMEN
Scrutinize the Measure or weigh Examination
FIRST STEP
THIRD STEP
SECOND STEP
specimen the object and itself which
carefully, write all the consist the
all the measurements and chemical,
necessary weights should physical and
documents be entered in confirmatory
including the the lab book. test.
logbooks for the The specimen
attainment of should be placed
complete in a proper
description container with
complete label.
FIRST STEP
COMMUNICATION OF THE RESULT OF
THE EXAMINATION
• The results of the examination
conducted should be communicated
with the requesting party in the
form of a written report which must
include an enumeration of facts.
COMMUNICATION OF THE RESULT OF
THE EXAMINATION
• A forensic expert must communicate well
with everyone on the litigation team
during a forensic investigation so they
understand the scientific results and
how those results impact the case.
COURT APPEARANCE
• The written report of the Forensic Chemist
is usually supplemented by testimonial
evidence at a late date if the case is
brought to court or the fiscal’s office.
The testimonial evidence is usually given
within a week a month or even a year. So,
the chemist should refresh his/her memory
by referring to his laboratory record book
before presenting himself in court.
Roles of Forensic Chemist in the Scientific Investigation
1. Conducts qualitative and quantitative determination of

abused drugs as well as volatile substances.
2. Conducts chemical examination of explosives and/or

explosive ingredients.
3. Conducts an examination of paraffin cast and firearms

to determine the presence of gunpowder nitrates. Conducts
gunpowder examination on clothing for possible gunshot
range.
Forensic identification of
explosives is a major problem
in the criminalistic
investigation of a bombing
which involves:
1. connecting the type of
explosive used with the
suspect.
2. explosive residues in
debris material constitute
a highly difficult task.
3. The thermal instability of
most explosives, along
with the requirements of
the high sensitivity of
the analysis, limit the
number of analytical
techniques which can be
used in such
determinations.
4. Conducts gunpowder examination on clothing for

possible gunshot range.
5. Conducts chemical-toxicological examination of

human internal organs, gastric contents, blood
water, food sample, and other substances.
6. Conducts examination of fake products in

cases of unfair trade competition.
7. Conducts blood alcohol determinations.
8. Examines urine samples and other body

fluids for the presence of abused drugs.
9. Conducts researches related to cases

being examined.
10. Testifies and gives expert opinion in court.
11. Gives lectures on Forensic Chemistry and Chemical-

toxicology to various schools, universities, police
training centers, and investigating units.
12. Responds to queries of all investigating units and

render an expert opinion on the application of
chemical principles to assist investigators in
developing investigative leads.
Six Golden Rules in the Practice of Foreign
Chemistry
Go slowly Be thorough Take Notes
Avoid
Consult Use
complicated
others imaginaton
theories
Equipment used in
the Forensic
Examination
1. HPLC (High Powered Liquid
Chromatography) This
scientific equipment is used
for the qualitative and
quantitative determination
of a volatile or non-
volatile compound based on
the chromatographic
separation of its
components.
Equipment used in the
Forensic Examination
2. Ultra-Violet
spectrophotometer
It is used for the
qualitative and
quantitative
analysis of organic
compounds.
3. EMIT (Enzyme Multiple Immuno Assay
Technique)
Equipment
It is used for the screening of abused
used in the
urine samples. And also to detect
Forensic drugs in urine.
Examination
This Scientific equipment
is used for the physical
1dentification of various
questioned specimens. It 8
& software-controlled
digital scanning electron
microscope used to produce
sticking images over a
wide range of
magnification
(3x3,000,000x) on rough or
covered surface of minute
specimen such as hair,
fibers, paint particles,
drugs, metal, etc.
SEM (Scanning Electron
Microscope) This
Scientific equipment is
used for the physical
1dentification of various
questioned specimens.
It’s a software-
controlled digital
scanning electron
microscope used to
produce sticking images
over a wide range of
magnification
(3x3,000,000x)
5. FTIR (Fourier
Transformation Infrared
Spectroscopy) Used for
the identification of
pure organic
substances. It
identifies organic
substances particularly
abused drugs and
explosive ingredients
based on their
characteristic
functional groups.
Dangerous Powders
Identified
In February 2013, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy received a letter that contained an unknown
powder. “Less than 10 years ago, that situation would have been handled much differently,”
explained Massey. Prior to 2006, the protocol for handling explosive powders required crime-fighting
agencies to destroy the substance with bleach which frequently led to the loss of fingerprint
evidence.
Now, Raman spectroscopy, a sister technique to FTIR analysis, allows investigators to “almost
immediately” identify hazardous powders and explosives without destroying potentially important
evidence.
Lightweight, handheld FTIR analysis devices are designed to give quick, precise, on-the-spot
characterization and identification of forensic samples. Unknown materials are identified by
searching the spectrum against a database of reference spectra.
FTIR analysis provides exact measurements without harming the sample.

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FORENSIC

It includes the collection, preservation, examination, and study of

It also includes the examination of dangerous drugs in the body.

1. Examination of dangerous drugs in the

3. Chemical aspects of documents

1.Collection or preparation of the

Collecting, preserving, and

1. Conducts qualitative and quantitative determination of

2. Conducts chemical examination of explosives and/or

3. Conducts an examination of paraffin cast and firearms

4. Conducts gunpowder examination on clothing for

5. Conducts chemical-toxicological examination of

6. Conducts examination of fake products in

7. Conducts blood alcohol determinations.

8. Examines urine samples and other body

9. Conducts researches related to cases

11. Gives lectures on Forensic Chemistry and Chemical-

12. Responds to queries of all investigating units and

Go slowly Be thorough Take Notes

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