Course Overview

Course Summary
In this Course, we will explain the scientific principles and techniques behind the work of forensic
scientists using case studies from Singapore and around the world.
Further details about the topics, including Learning Objectives and topic synopses, will be available in
the Weekly Study Guides and Lecture descriptions.

Course Syllabus
Week 1
Topic: Introduction to Forensic Science
• Synopsis: The first section illustrates the scope and diversity of Forensic Science, and places it
in its legal context. Basic ideas such as Association and Reconstruction are discussed, the all
important Locard Exchange Principle is expounded and some of the limits of Forensic Science
are suggested. The ideas in the Introduction underpin all subsequent sections.
• Case studies in this section: Walter Dinivan; Jetkor Miang Singh; Roberto Calvi; Buck Ruxton
& the Jigsaw Murders; The 2005 London bombings; "Brides in the Bath"; Gareth Williams; The
Woodchipper Murder
Week 2
Topic 1: Atomic Structure & Spectroscopy
• Synopsis: This section seeks to link the concept of Atomic Structure with the methods for the
determination of the presence of different elements in a given sample. This allows students to
appreciate how these techniques can be reliable and sensitive.
• Case studies in this section: The Death of Napoleon; The Kennedy Assassination; "Adam", the
Torso in the Thames
Topic 2: Molecular Spectroscopy & Chromatography
• Synopsis: Some of the ideas of the preceding section are extended here, as they can apply to the
analyses of compounds. The methods of Chromatography, Infra-red Spectroscopy and Mass
Spectrometry are also discussed. These are essential for later sections, such as Narcotics and
Toxicology.
Week 3
Topic 1: Time of Death
 • Synopsis: The changes that the body and bodily remains undergo on time scales ranging from
minutes to centuries are key to determining the Time of Death. These are surveyed in this
section.
• Case studies in this section: Peter Thomas; Danielle van Dam; Ötzi
Topic 2: Blood
• Synopsis: Blood will be spilled in violent crimes. In this section, methods to identify and
individualise blood are discussed, but DNA methods are left to a separate section. The
information that can be deduced from blood spatter is also discussed.
• Case studies in this section: Christopher Nudds; Lord Lucan
Week 4
Topic: DNA
• Synopsis: DNA has become essential and ubiquitous in forensic science. The nature of DNA
and how it can be employed are presented in this section. The section includes the first DNA
case, cold cases, paternity and maternity testing, mitochondrial DNA and several other topics.
• Case studies in this section: Colin Pitchfork; The Identification of the Last Tsar of Russia; the
story of Peter Falconio & Joanne Lees
Week 5
Topic 1: Fingerprinting
• Synopsis: Fingerprinting is introduced by a short history. The composition, means of
visualisation and classification of fingerprints is discussed, and the question of faking them is
raised.
• Case studies in this section: The Pioneering Stratton Brothers; the Brandon Mayfield Debacle
Topic 2: Polymers & Fibres
• Synopsis: Fibres, whether natural or synthetic, make up a large part of our world and how they
can be used in forensic science is the subject of this section. This includes a discussion of the
different kinds of fibre, and how to distinguish and individualise them. The importance of hair is
highlighted. This section draws upon knowledge from the spectroscopy and chromatography
sections.
• Case studies in this section: Robert Curley; Wayne Williams; Sarah Payne
Topic 3: Firearms
• Synopsis: Around the World, firearms are involved in many crimes. In this section, a brief
history and explanation of firearms is presented. Forensic topics, including GSR and striations,
are discussed.
• Case studies in this section: The Jill Dando Shooting
Week 6
Topic: Narcotics
• Synopsis: A survey of some of the more significant drugs is presented.
• Case studies in this section: "Krokodil"
Week 7
Topic: Toxicology
• Synopsis: Poisoning - accidental, deliberate or occupational - dates back into the mists of
antiquity. In this section, different aspects of Toxicology are introduced, Paracelsus’ concept of
poison is discussed, and harmful substances are classified. Specific poisons such as arsenic,
sarin and thallium, are discussed in detail.
• Case studies in this section: Florence Maybrick; the Maine poisoning; Graham Young and his
Strange Hobby; Paul Agutter and the Toxic Tonic; Georgi Markov and the Poisoned Umbrella;
Alexander Litvinenko
Week 8
Topic: Case Studies
• Synopsis: The course comes to its completion with a number of Case Studies that highlight
important aspects of forensic science and some additional topics.
• Case studies in this section: The King in the Carpark; Annie Le; Peter Griffiths; JonBenét
Ramsey; George Metesky; Rachel Nickell; Ted Kaczynski; The Soham Murders; Dr. Crippen

Recommended Background
Pre-requisites for this course are minimal. Knowledge of High School or O-Level Science is
advantageous.
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are interested to look up by clicking on the correct region in the map. Do take note that Singapore,
Kuala Lumpur, Philippines and China share the same time zone.

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Your Instructor

Roderick Bates is an Organic Chemist by training, but has been teaching Forensic Science by accident
since 2005. He earned a PhD from Imperial College, London and followed this with postdoctoral work
at Colorado State University. After academic positions in North Texas, Bangkok, Thailand and Exeter,
England, he settled in Singapore. He is currently an Associate Professor of Chemistry.
In addition to Forensic Science, he also teaches Organic Chemistry and is the author of a textbook titled
"Organic Synthesis using Transition Metals" which will not be of interest to students in this course.
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Glossary
Week 1
Topic 1: Introduction to Forensic Science

S/
Terms Description
N
1 Actus Reus A guilty action
Facial
2 Re-creation of the face of an individual from their skeletal remains
reconstruction
Forensic A branch of forensic science that deals with the handling, examination, and
3
odontology presentation of dental evidence in court
4 Individualization The process of marking something as individual or distinctive in character
5 Mens Rea A guilty mind or intention
Establishing a sequence of events about the occurrences during and after a
6 Reconstruction crime or other incident through the study, analysis and interpretation of
evidence
7 Re-enactment The acting out or repetition of a past event or situation

Week 2
Topic 2A: Atomic Structure & Spectroscopy

S/
Terms Description
N
Spectroscopic techniques that measure the absorption of radiation as a
1 Absorption spectroscopy
function of frequency or wavelength
2 Bulk composition What most of the object is made up of
Electromagnetic A kind of radiation including visible light, radio waves, gamma rays,
3
radiation and X-rays, in which electric and magnetic fields vary simultaneously
A pure chemical substance consisting of a single type of atom
4 Element
distinguished by its atomic number
Spectroscopic techniques that measure the electromagnetic radiation
5 Emission spectroscopy emitted when electrons drop from a higher energy level to a lower
energy level
Energy Dispersive X-ray An analytical technique used for the elemental analysis or chemical
6
Spectroscopy (EDX) characterization of a sample
7 Energy level The energy of a quantum state of a system
Electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus of an atom by
8 Gamma ray
radioactive decay
An analytical method used to determine the chemical elements
Neutron Activation comprising a material by bombarding it with neutrons to produce
9
Analysis (NAA) radioactive atoms whose emissions are indicative of the elements
present
10 Part per billion (ppb) 1 in 1 000 000 000
11 Part per million (ppm) 1 in 1 000 000
Spontaneous emission of radiation, either directly from unstable
12 Radioactive
atomic nuclei or as a consequence of a nuclear reaction
Amount of an element present in a given environment in comparison to
13 Relative abundance
all other elements
Scanning Electron A type of electron microscope that produces images of a sample by
14
Microscope (SEM) scanning it with a focused beam of electrons
15 Trace impurities What a very small portion of the object is made up of
Topic 2B: Molecular Spectroscopy & Chromatography

S/
Terms Description
N
1 Chromatography Method of separating a mixture into its components
A pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical
2 Compound
elements
Infrared (IR)
3 Analysis of infrared light interacting with a molecule
spectroscopy
An instrumental method for identifying the chemical constituent of a
Mass Spectrometry
4 substance by means of the separation of gaseous ions according to their
(MS)
differing mass and charge
5 Mobile phase A fluid which carries a mixture through the stationary phase
6 Molecule Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
Retention Factor A numerical method to describe the position of spots, i.e. the distance
7
(Rf) travelled by the compound divided by the distance travelled by the solvent
8 Retention Time The time taken for a solute to travel through the column
A layer fixed in place during the chromatography process and interacts
9 Stationary phase
with the analytes, e.g. silica layer in thin layer chromatography (TLC)

Week 3
Topic 3A: Time of Death

S/
Terms Description
N
1 Algor Mortis The cooling of the body after death
Indirect evidence that tends to prove a fact by proving other events or
Circumstantial
2 circumstances which afford a basis for a reasonable inference of the
evidence
occurrence of the fact at issue
3 Entomology The scientific study of insects
The emission of radiation, especially of visible light, by a substance during
4 Fluorescence
exposure to external radiation such as light or X-rays
Settling of the blood in the lower portion of the body, causing a
5 Livor Mortis
discolouration of the skin
6 Mummification To make a dead body into a mummy by embalming and/ or drying
7 Putrefaction The anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacteria and fungi that
 results in obnoxiously odorous products
The spontaneous transformation of an unstable atomic nucleus into a lighter
8 Radioactive decay
one, in which radiation is released
Chemical changes in the muscles after death, causing the limbs of the corpse
9 Rigor Mortis
to become stiff
Topic 3B: Blood

S/
Terms Description
N
Immunoglobins produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen;
1 Antibodies
recognizes and binds to “alien” substances in blood
Proteins on the surface of red blood cells which induces an immune response;
2 Antigens
responsible for phenomenon of blood typing
Blood spatter
3 Use of blood distribution to determine how crime was committed
analysis
The process of identifying an individual’s blood group by testing a sample of
4 Blood typing
blood; determined by the antigens present on an individual’s red blood cells
5 Erythrocytes Red blood cells containing hemoglobin; biconcave and without a nucleus
High velocity
6 Blood spatter pattern caused by a very energetic event, e.g. gunshot
spatter
7 Kastle Meyer Test Presumptive test for blood using phenolphthalein
Low velocity Blood spatter pattern caused by a low energy event, e.g. blood falling from a
8
spatter wound
Medium velocity Blood spatter pattern caused by a relatively energetic event, e.g. beaten with a
9
spatter baseball bat
Antibody technology; a test used in criminology for determining the source of
10 Precipitin Test
a blood stain

Week 4
Topic 4: DNA

S/
Terms Description
N
Autosomal
1 Normal chromosomes containing genetic information
chromosomes
A pair of complementary bases in a double stranded nucleic acid molecule,
2 Base pairs i.e. adenine is complementary to thymine, cytosine is complementary to
guanine
Homologous A pair of chromosomes of approximately the same length and size, one
3
chromosomes inherited from each parent
The complete set of genetic information for humans, including DNA,
4 Human genome
genes, and chromosomes
Mitochondrial DNA Circular DNA located in the mitochondria, comprising of 16 569 bases
5
(mtDNA) organized into 37 genes; passed down the maternal line
6 Nucleotides Basic building block of DNA containing the sugar, phosphate and base
 Short tandem
7 Repeating lengths of three to seven base pairs
repeats (STR)
8 Species A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals

Week 5
Topic 5A: Fingerprinting

S/
Terms Description
N
A raised portion of the epidermis that enable our hands to hold up objects;
1 Friction ridges
pattern of friction ridges give pattern of fingerprints
Fingerprint impression that is not readily visible; requires chemical
2 Latent prints
visualisation
Skin graft Surgical procedure involving the transplantation of skin from one part of the
3
procedure body to another
4 Visible prints Fingerprints that are visible to the naked eye; also called patent prints
Topic 5B: Polymers & Fibres

S/N Terms Description

1 Co-polymer Long chain molecule made up of two or more monomers
Located between the hair cuticle and hair medulla; contains most of the hair’s
2 Hair cortex
pigments
3 Hair cuticle Outermost part of the hair shaft; formed from dead cells
4 Hair follicle A sac from which the hair grows; contains the root of a hair
5 Hair medulla Innermost part of the hair shaft; width and pattern is characteristic of species
6 Hair root The part of a hair embedded in a hair follicle
A molecule that forms the basic unit for polymers; can be bonded to other
7 Monomer
molecules to form a repeating chain molecule
8 Polymer A long chain molecule made up of many repeating units
9 Proteins Large molecules composed of one or more chains of amino acids
Stereo
10 Difference in three dimensional structure of molecules
chemical
Topic 5C: Firearms

S/
Terms Description
N
One or more loaded cartridges consisting of a primed case, propellant, and
1 Ammunition
projectile
2 Back spatter Blood directed backward towards the surface of the energy source
3 Ballistics The study of projectile in motion
Breech loading Firearms in which the cartridge or shell is loaded into a chamber integral to
4
firearms the rear portion of the barrel
5 Bullet The projectile
6 Cartridge A unit of ammunition, made up of a cartridge case, primer, powder, and
 bullet
7 External ballistics What happens during the flight of the bullet
The part of a firearm mechanism that strikes the primer of a cartridge to
8 Firing pin
initiate ignition
Firing pin
9 Impression on cartridge base when struck by the firing pin
impression
10 Griess Test A chemical test for the detection of nitrites
Gun Shot Residue
11 Residues from the explosion of primer and charge
(GSR)
12 Internal ballistics What happens in the gun barrel
Refer to definition of Rifling; Lands are the raised portions between the
13 Lands and grooves
grooves in the barrel after the spiral grooves are cut to produce the rifling
Muzzle loading
14 Firearms in which the cartridge is loaded from the front
firearms
15 Primer Shock sensitive compounds that detonate when they experience a shock
16 Propellant A chemical that provides energy when ignited; turns into gases and particles
Cutting of spiral grooves inside a gun barrel; metal between the grooves is
17 Rifling
called a "Land"
Sodium A chemical test to detect the presence of particulate lead or lead vapour
18
Rhodizonate Test around a bullet hole
19 Striations Scratch marks left on the bullet's side by grooves
20 Terminal ballistics What happens when the projectile hits the target

Week 6
Topic 6: Narcotics

S/N Terms Description

A group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain
1 Alkaloid
nitrogen atoms
2 Analog Compounds with similar molecular structure
Central Nervous System
3 Consists of the brain and spinal cord
(CNS)
Chemistry technique to transform a chemical compound into a product
4 Derivatization
of similar chemical structure
Perception of objects that are not real; caused by disruption of
5 Hallucination
communication between neurons
6 Hallucinogen A substance inducing hallucinations
A procedure for identification and detection of a substance by its
7 Immunoassay
ability to bind to a specific antibody
8 Neurons A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses
Compounds that are required as starting materials in the synthesis of
9 Precursor chemicals
other drugs
10 Semi-synthetic drugs Drugs chemically modified from natural drugs
11 Synthetic drugs Substances produced entirely by chemical reactions

Week 7
Topic 7: Toxicology

S/N Terms Description

1 Anthrax Acute disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis
2 Asphyxiation Suffocation; to be deprived of oxygen
Barium sulfate ingested by patients to allow soft tissues to show
3 Barium meal
up on X-rays
Potentially fatal paralytic illness caused by the bacteria
4 Botulism
Clostridium botulinum
A device used to measure breath alcohol; utilizes chromium
5 Breathalyzers
chemistry
Lethal dose for 50 percent
6 Amount of chemical required to kill half of the test population
(LD50)
7 Neurotransmission The transmission of nerve impulses across a synapse
A substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse, e.g.
8 Neurotransmitter
acetyl choline
Any substance which, if taken into or formed by the body,
9 Poisons
destroys life or impairs health
10 Polypeptide A chain of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds
11 Route of administration The path by which a poison is taken into the body
12 Toxicology Science of poisons and poisoning
A foreign chemical substance that is not naturally produced by an
13 Xenobiotics
organism

Week 8
Topic 8: Case Studies

S/N Terms Description

Ligature Strangulation without suspension of the physical body; use of a cord-like
1
strangulation object; also known as garrotting
2 Manifesto A public declaration of aims