Introduction to

Forensic Chemistry
DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE OF
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY TO
CRIMINOLOGY
 Forensic science is a broad area of study due to various evidence that might be
found in the scene of the crime.
 Forensic generalists would analyze all types of physical evidence.
 However, their interpretation and analysis were limited only to their knowledge
and resources.
 Forensic generalists upgraded their studies in a more specific field to become
forensic specialists because of forensic science's complexity.
 Forensic specialists are the expert in one or a few branches of forensic
science.
DEFINITION AND IMPORTANCE OF
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY TO
CRIMINOLOGY
important role in making the investigation fast and provide solutions to
 Forensic chemistry is a specialized field of forensic science that plays an

crimes.
and analyzing the various specimens obtained from the crime scene
 A forensic chemist is an authorized expert in performing laboratory test

area, from the victims and suspects.

the crime's serousness, such a murder.
 An authorized person decides to collect physical evidence based on
The samples collected
i from the
s crime scene are known as the
 questioned sample,
called known while the samples from the suspect or victims are
samples.
It serves as a reference for the identification, cassification and
l ,
 individualization
from the suspecof. the questioned sample, for instance, a hair sample
t
RESPONSIBILITIES OF FORENSIC CHEMISTS

 Determine the chemical and physical characteristics of physical evidences

obtained from the crime scene. Examples are listed below:
 To test body fluids (blood, semen, saliva) for foreign substances such a poison and
drugs
 They are also going to identify if the same are human or animal origin.
 Perform gunshot residue examination and paraffin test to identify the presence of
gunpowder nitrate.
 Distinguishes if the case is murder, suicide or homicide.  Expert
witness in court trials
RESPONSIBILITIES OF FORENSIC CHEMISTS

 The types of examination that are used are Qualitative and Quantitative
analysis.
 Qualitative laboratory examination is to determine the properties and
characteristics of the certain chemical and physical evidences.
 On the other hand, Quantitative Examination involves measurements of
amount of a substance used in investigation.
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
 ELECTROPHORESIS
 This method is used to separate the component.
 It is done in a solid medium called agarose gel or polyacrylamide gel that is placed
buffer-filled tray with applied potential difference the positive and negative
electrodes (Figure 1.1).
 In transferring the sample into the gel tank they use micropipette. Physical
evidence like blood through this method the blood protein, DNA and inorganic
ions can be separate according to their masses. Those component will travel to the
opposite electrodes (Figure 1.2).
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
 ELECTROPHORESIS
 This method is used to separate the component.
 It is done in a solid medium called agarose gel or polyacrylamide gel that is placed
buffer-filled tray with applied potential difference the positive and negative
electrodes (Figure 1.1).
 In transferring the sample into the gel tank they use micropipette. Physical
evidence like blood through this method the blood protein, DNA and inorganic
ions can be separate according to their masses. Those component will travel to the
opposite electrodes (Figure 1.2).
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

Figure 1.2: It shows the

Figure 1.1: It shows the step in gel electrophoresis.
apparatuses used in
electrophoresis in separating
substances.
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
 SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
 Another method to separate the components of a substance.
 The substance will absorb and transmit light through electromagnetic rays from
Ultraviolet, Visible light to Infrared light.
 The sample such as blood will absorb frequencies that will transmit to others
(Figure 2.1).
 The results are in graphical form displayed by the spectrophotometer device. By
comparing the resulting graph with the standard will link to the identification of the
analyzed sample.
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
 CHROMATOGRAPHY
 The same objective as the previous methods that we have discussed to separate the
component of a solution or sample that are possible in this specific technique.
 Aside for separation it will also identify and estimate the sample even in very little
amount through the process of absorption.
 The device used is chromatograph machine.
Different Methods of Chromatography

 Gas Chromatography (GC)

 This is specific, rapid and sensitive because it easily evaporate.
 This technique is applied in the analysis of gases, liquids, and volatile substances.
 The product to be analyzed is passed through the column with the help of a carrier gas
like nitrogen, helium, argon, or hydrogen.
 Different constituents come out of the column at different intervals and pass through
the detector.
 Comparison of the graph with similar graphs of known products will permits the
identification of the sample.
Different Methods of Chromatography

 High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

 It has a mobile phase that consists of a solvent that is mechanically pumped
through the tube containing the stationary phase.
 The sample that is being tested is injected as a solute into the mobile phase, which
acts as the solvent.
 It is an important forensic technique, often used in cases involving drug trafficking by
identifying impurities from the sample like poison. This is less sensitive as compared
to gas chromatography.
Different Methods of Chromatography

 Thin- layer chromatography (TLC)  It is

paper chromatography variation.
 A thin layer of a solid stationary phase like silica or aluminum is deposited
on the glass plate.
 The substance to be identified is processed as in paper
chromatography and results are rapid and specific.
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
 MICROSCOPY
 It is by means of microscope that uses lenses to view and magnify the tiny parts or details
of an object that cannot be seen by our naked eye.
 It plays an important application in forensic investigation to examine the questioned
evidences obtained from the crime scene.
 The most commonly used microscope is the monocular compound microscope (Figure 4.1)
and now upgraded into binocular compound microscope (Figure 4.2) as the name implies it
has two eyepiece to view the specimen.
 Moreover binocular compound microscope dependent on electric power while monocular
it has two light sources it can be natural light (sunlight) or artificial light (fluorescent
light).
 Microscope is divided into three parts according to their functions namely mechanical,
magnifying, and illuminating parts.
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

Figure 4.1:
Monocular Figure 4.2: Binocular
Compound Compound Microscope
Microscope
GENERAL PRINCIPLE IN SAMPLING,
HANDLING AND PRESERVING OF PHYSICAL
EVIDENCES

 The general principles in sampling, handling techniques and preservation of

evidence are very important to secure and prevent false interpretation.
 First is the sufficiency of the sample, the quantity of sample that will be collected
will depends on the classification of the crime and the type of evidence. Most
analytical test only requires a small amount of sample. It is important to collect
enough sample because you cannot anymore go back to the crime scene due to
insufficient specimen because there are possibilities that the area is already
altered.
GENERAL PRINCIPLE IN SAMPLING,
HANDLING AND PRESERVING OF PHYSICAL
EVIDENCES

 Second is the standard for comparison that serves as black when the sample is
analyzed. The difference between the standard and the sample will be considered
significant in the investigation process that will lead to identification.
 Third is the maintenance of individuality to secure the identity of each specimen.
When collecting samples, each evidence must be separate piece. One piece of
evidence must be packed in a separate container. Moreover, consider also the
location, each location packed differently.
GENERAL PRINCIPLE IN SAMPLING,
HANDLING AND PRESERVING OF PHYSICAL
EVIDENCES

 Lastly is the labelling and sealing the evidence this is to prevent mixing up of
sample and eliminate the possibility of tampering and preserves the value of the
evidence. Evidence has to be labeled properly by the following in order to identify
what it is, its source, person responsible for collecting, the date and time it was
collected and if there is a case number.
STAGES OF THE PRACTICE OF
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY:
1. Collection or reception of the specimen. The chemist should personally collect all the
specimens necessary for the examination by following the general principles in
collecting and securing the evidences.
2. During the actual examination of the specimen the chemist should write in the
laboratory notebook the complete description of its external appearance including
the manner in which it is collected or secured. The chemist will take photographs if
possible. Moreover measure the specimen weight and divide into small portions, one
to be kept in the original condition. Then different test will be perform , chemical
test, microscopic, physical testing whichever is appropriate for certain type of
evidence and case. Before the test, make sure that all apparatuses that will be use
should be clean and sanitize. In terms of reagent, it must be pure and that all
precautions against possibility of contamination are taken. Blank and control
experiments should be made whenever possible.
STAGES OF THE PRACTICE OF
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY:
3. Communicate with the authorized person (prosecutor) to discuss the result of
the examination. The chemist will prepare a written report of the results and
present this in court.
Thank You and Have a Good Day!