“RUMORS ARE CARRIED BY HATERS, SPREAD BY FOOLS, AND ACCEPTED
BY IDIOTS.”
FINALS- REVIEWER
CRIMINALISTICS 3-FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
Modified TRUE or FALSE:
TRUE 1. Macro etching is an application of chemical solution on the metal
surface where the serial number is normally located and observing any
reaction that may take place.
Spectrographic Test 2. X-ray diffraction test is an instrumental method of
analysis which determines the presence of trace elements in glasses.
PRIMARY 3. Concentric fractures resembles the spokes of a wheel where
the radiating rod originates at a common point.
TRUE 4. Ultraviolet is a radiation of shorter wavelength than the radiation
commonly recognized as visible light.
ENGRAVED NUMBER 5. Stamped number are numbers that is pressed
intendedly using electrical and mechanical gadget.
INVISIBLE RADIATION 6. Radiation that are beyond the violet and red
ends of the spectrum are called visible radiation.
NEGATIVE 7. Mold is an impression made or left by an object known as
positive impression.
TRUE 8. Metallurgy is the art of extracting and working on metals by the
application of chemical and physical knowledge.
STRIATIONS 9. Impressions are those tool marks in which peculiar
characteristics of the tool are reproduced in the form of indentations.
FLUORESCENT 10. When the substance has a property absorbing
ultraviolet or invisible light and converting it into visible light, it is called
phosphorescence.
TRUE 11. Ultraviolet examination determines the differences in the
appearance of the fluorescent thus indicating the physical and chemical
differences.
TOOLS 12. Tool marks are any object capable of making an impression on
another solid object.
TRUE 13. The most common source of ultraviolet light is the sun.
IMMERSION METHOD 14. Floatation method is a method use to measure
the refractive index of glass.
CAST COINS 15. Struck coins are impression of genuine coin taken by the
use of Plaster of Paris.
MOLDING 16. Casting is a process of reproducing the impression of an
object.
TRUE 17. Tool marks are any impression, cut, abrasion left by a tool after
coming in contact with an object.
700 18. Visible light radiates at wavelength between 400 and 900 nm and
refers to the only portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by
the human eye.
STRIATION 19. Negative impression is a classification of tool mark in
which a tool mark cuts into or slides across a surface.
TRUE 20. Glass is a super cooled liquid which possesses high viscosity and
rigidity.
IMPORTANT TERMIOLOGIES
BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
• Blood – can be grouped and examined for its DNA pattern. The
examination of blood evidence can also determine if an offender is
a secretor or non-secretor.
• Semen/Seminal Stains – is the male reproductive fluid. Not only
can DNA analysis of semen provide positive personal
identification of the source, it can also serve as corroborating
evidence when recovered at the crime scene or from the victim or
victim’s clothing. When wet, semen is grayish-white in color and
bears a chlorine-like odor. When dry it is stiff and starch like in
consistency.
• Vaginal fluids- Vaginal swabbing is examined for comparative
value as well as to determine the presence of spermatozoa or
seminal fluid within the vaginal cavity or anal tract.
• Saliva – Known saliva samples for both the victim and offender(s)
should be obtained and submitted for serologic examination. Saliva
can provide invaluable evidence concerning the blood type of its
depositor, for later DNA analysis. At the crime scene, saliva can be
found on cigarette butts, cups, glasses, toothpicks and other items
placed in the mouth.
• Urine – Analysis of a urine sample may for example verify a
victim’s assertion that he/she was drugged prior to the crime. Is
ordinarily associated with some sex offenses and breaking and
entering. If sufficient quantity exists, it is possible to distinguish
between animal and human origin, as well as the alcohol content of
the contributor.
• Perspiration – Perspiration is difficult to analyze for blood group
substances. Essentially it is treated the same as urine and it is
identified and typed in the same manner as urine.
HAIR
- is a filamentous outgrowth of dead cells from the skin found only on
mammals.
3 Parts of Hair
• Root bulb- the shape of the root bulb will determine if the hair was pulled by
force or not. Portion embedded in the skin
• Hair shaft – contains the most information about the hair and portion above
the surface of the skin. It is the most distinctive part of the hair.
• Tip – will show if the hair is cut, burned or if it has split ends.
3 Parts of the Hair Shaft
• Cuticle – is the outer surface of the hair and when viewed under a
microscope appears to be composed of scale like flakes, each overlapping the
others like the scale of a fish.
• Medulla or Core – is the central canal of the hair shaft. It could be
continuous, fragmented, interrupted or absent and begins more or less with the
root.
• Cortex – the intermediate and the thickest layer of the shaft and is composed
of elongated, spindle shaped fibrils which cohere and contains the color
pigmentation of the hair.
• Head hairs are usually the longest hairs on the human body.
• Pubic hairs are generally coarse and wiry appearance.
• Facial hairs are more commonly called beard hairs or mustache
hairs.
• Limb Hairs are hairs from the legs and arms
• Fringe Hairs are those hairs originated from the neck, sideburns,
abdomen, upper leg and back.
FIBERS
• Fiber or filament is the smallest single unit forming the basis of the
textile yarn
DNA
• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic
instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living
organisms with the exception of some viruses.
• GENES- The DNA segments that carry the genetic information .
• "DNA evidence “– constitutes the totality of the DNA profiles, results and
other genetic information directly generated from DNA testing of
“YOURbiological
BELIEFSsamples.
DON’T MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON, YOUR BEHAVIOR
DOES.”
Application of DNA Analysis
• Criminal Investigations - matching suspect with evidence
• Parentage Testing - identifying parent(s)
• Historical investigations
• Missing persons’ investigations
• Mass disasters - positive identification of the deceased
• Military DNA “dog tag”
Problems with DNA Evidence
•  1.)Degradation – is the breaking down of DNA into smaller
fragments by chemical or physical processes.
• 2.)Contamination – occurrence of having unwanted DNA profile
in the specimen.
MARKS AND IMPRESSIONS
• Toolmarks - any impression, cut, abrasion, or gouge left by a tool after
coming in contact with an object.
• Tools – Any object capable of making an impression on another solid
object.
2 TYPES OF TOOLMARKS
• 1. Impressions - those tool marks in which only the
general form and size of the tool are apparent. 
• 2. Striations - those tool marks in which peculiar characteristics or
irregularities of the tool are reproduced in the form of indentations
or striations
How Tool marks are created?
• Compression
• Friction
• Repetition
• Combination
When an item like a shoe or a tire comes into contact with a soft surface, it
leaves behind a pattern showing some or all of its surface characteristics
known as impression
Major Types Of Impression Evidence:
 shoeprints,
 tire tracks,
 tool marks and
 the marks that are found on a fired bullet
Definition of Terms:
 Cast- reproduction of an object, known as positive impression..
 Subject- an impression that is to be reproduced.
 Mold- impression made or left by an object, known as negative
impression.
 Molding- process of reproducing the impression of an object.
 Casting is a process whereby a reproduction of an object is
secured by introducing a suitable hardening material into the
impression.
 Casting is the process used to replicate three-dimensional prints or
marks.
TIRE CHARACTERISTICS
Class characteristics - include size and general patterns.
Individual characteristics - include regular wear and tear as well
as accidental cuts or holes.
Shoeprints- Shoes create impressions at the scene of a crime
There are three kinds of shoeprints: patent, plastic, and latent.
Patent shoeprints are clearly visible and come from tracking
through a substance like paint or dirt and leaving some behind each
time a step is taken.
A plastic shoeprint occurs when a shoe sinks into a soft substance
like snow or mud.
Latent shoeprints are those that are not visible to the naked eye
and often occur on a hard surface like glass or concrete.
Types of Examinations
1) Comparative – conducted to determine if a known shoe or tire
made the impression.
2) Investigative – conducted on impressions to provide information
regarding manufacture or design descriptions that may provide
investigative leads.
Design characteristics – this is the basic pattern of the shoe sole or tire tread
design.
Wear patterns – as the shoe or tire is worn or used on a vehicle the pattern
area will wear down as erosion of the tread or sole material takes place.
Accidental characteristics- during the normal use of a shoe or tire some
damage such as small cuts and nicks are imparted on the tread or pattern
surface.
GLASS AND GLASS FRACTURES/BULLET TRAJECTORY
  Glass -is normally a fused mixture of silica, usually in the form of electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye.
natural sand and two or more alkaline bases such as soda, lime or
potash.
• Phosphor – any substance that emits visible light (400-700 nm)
Visual Distinction of Glass
when stimulated by radiation. A Phosphor converts the energy in
• Color
the UV radiation from a black light into visible light
• Thickness
Black Light- A black light is a source of electromagnetic radiation that emits
• Curvature (if any)
near-ultraviolet light (350-375 nm) wavelength range.
• Surface texture
Photoluminescence-In returning to its orbit the electron may give up its
Metals Can Be Added To Make The Various Colors:
energy in the visible wavelength
– Iron= Greenish
Phosphorescence-the phenomenon , If the substance is visible after the
– Copper= Bluish
source of energy is removed.
– Manganese= Brownish
Fluorescent- When the substance has a property of absorbing ultraviolet or
– Gold= Ruby red
invisible light and converting it into visible light
Test/Analysis for Glass
UV Powder
1. Spectrographic Test – an instrumental method of analysis which
• This fluorescent tracer powder readily transfers to the fingers and hands
determines the presence of trace elements. Shows the constituent
when touched, leaving the subject “glowing” when put under UV
elements of glass.
inspection.
2. X-ray diffraction test – not as effective as the spectrographic
Berberine hydrochloride -a brilliant orange-yellow powder drug.
analysis. It determines the type pf pattern of glass.
METALLURGY
3. Physical properties examination – the most sensitive method of
• METALLURGY – the art of extracting and working on metals by the
determining differences of composition in glass samples and
application of chemical and physical knowledge.
depends upon the study of the physical properties of glass.
• METALLOGRAPHY – branch of metallurgy that involves the study
4. Ultraviolet examination – determines the differences in the
of the microstructures of metals and alloys.
appearance of the fluorescent thus indication of physical and
APPLICATION OF METALLURGY IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
chemical differences.
• 1. Robbery 5. Nail examination
5. Polish marks- optical glass and other fine glass wares are usually
• 2. Theft 6. Counterfeit coins
polished.
• 3. Hit and run 7. Restoration of tampered
Method of Measuring Density of Glass
serial number
• Flotation Method – a rapid and convenient method of determining
• 4. Bomb and explosion
the density of small glass fragments.
Counterfeit Coins – are coins made to imitate the real thing and used for
Method of Measuring the Refractive Index of Glass
gain.
• Immersion Method – method use to measure the refractive index
Two Kinds of Counterfeit Coins:
of“DON’T
glass. It is difficult to distinguish between two samples of
JUST BELIEVE IN YOUR CAPACITY, ALWAYS ASK FOR THE •glass
1. Cast Coins – coins made in mold
byGUIDANCE
density and refractive index.
OF THE ALMIGHTY.” • 2. Struck coins – coins made by striking or stamping method.
The Strength of Glass and Glass Fractures 
• Glass always breaks under tension, not compression. It will bend,
until the tensile strength is exceeded, and then break.
NOTE: #19 MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE ANSWER IS - STRIATION
• A focused impact upon glass will produce a predictable pattern of
fragmentation.
HOW YOU EARN YOUR LIVING BOY; HOW YOU EARN YOUR PAYEE?
• Radial fractures are primary fractures.
OUTSIDE, YOU WORK THE WHOLE DAY AND EARN JUST 250; INSIDE, YOU EARN MORE THAN A THOUSAND AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS TO OBEY.
• Spiral or concentric fractures are secondary fractures
SEE THE DIFFERENCE, BE PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE… FOR YOU TO REPLY WITH MACRO-ETCHING
A LITTLE BIT OF LAUGHTER, EARNING YOUR LIVING AS RESPONSIBLE LEADER.
What Can Be Determined by Examining Glass
• Macro-etching is an application of chemical solution on the metal
Glass fractures and glass fragments can provide information from which
surface where the serial number is normally located and observing
determinations such as the following may be possible:
any reaction that may take place.
1. That a fragment of glass did or did not originate from a particular glass
Definition of Terms:
object that has been broken (i.e., a fragment of headlight lens found at the
• Serial number – series of number that is punched or pressed into a
scene of a vehicle accident did or did not originate from a broken
particular item to distinguish it from one another of common type.
headlight of a suspect’s vehicle)
It is sometimes preceded with letters and symbols. It is a series of
2. That a fragment of glass originated from a particular kind of glass object,
digits that is placed on a particular item to distinguish that item to
such as headlight lens, eyeglass lens, or window pane.
or others like it.
3. The origin and direction of a fracture, that is, what caused it and the
• Engraved number – a number that is impressed intensely using
direction from which the causative force came.
electrical or Mechanical gadget.
4. In the event of multiple fractures, including bullet holes, the order in
• Embossed number – number that is raised in relief from the
which the fractures occurred.
surface 9 or produced a raised design, pattern or lettering on a
5. The angle that a bullet struck a glass
plain surface, e.g. metal.
6. By microscopic optical and density comparisons, glass particles can be
• Concavity – a depression or excavation below the general level.
identified or compared with glass from a known source.
DETERMINING POINT OF IMPACT AND DIRECTION OF FORCE
 Broken glass shows two kinds of fractures: primary, first-made • Alteration – changes or modification made in anything.
fractures, and secondary subsequent fractures. • Grind – to be polished or made smooth by friction.
 Primary fractures are radial. They look like spokes of a wheel as • Molecule – smallest particle of a compound
they radiate outward from the point of impact. • Atom – smallest particle of an element.
 Secondary fractures are concentric. They form a series of broken • Obliteration – concealed or hidden from its identity.
circles, or arcs around the point of impact. Purpose of macro-etching:
• Radial fractures- show up on the surface opposite to the one where the • To determine whether or not the serial numbers of Motor Vehicles
fracturing blow or pressure was applied. or Firearms are tampered.
• Concentric fractures- are made by a force working in the opposite direction • To restore the original serial number of an article in questioned.
from that which made the radial fractures.
WINDSHIELD GLASS • It establishes investigative lead from article/property that may have
• If concentric cracks and no radial cracks are on one side, this is the been taken from the scene of the crime;
side of impact. If only radial and no concentric cracks are found on Theories in Number Restoration
one side, this is the side away from the impact. • When a letter or number is stamped into a cold metal surface a
BULLET TRAJECTORY molecular disturbance occurs directly beneath. When visible
• Bullet holes in glass are always wider on portion of the letter or number is erased, the molecular disturbance
the exit side, revealing the direction of the bullet remains unchanged.
ULTRAVIOLET EXAMINATION • When a letter or number is punched into a metal, a deformation
• Visible Radiation- these are radiations that can be seen by human occurs on the metal surface that is the metal is being compressed.
eye. Visible radiation includes the portion of the spectrum The deformation caused by the steel dye penetrates up to a depth
extending from violet through blue, green, yellow, orange and red.  3/64 of an inch. It is only up to this extent that we could be able to
• Invisible Radiation – these are radiation that cannot be seen by restore the original serial number when properly etched and
the human eye. They are beyond the violet and red ends of the treated.
visible portion of the spectrum. X-Ray, Ultraviolet and infrared PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION ON MACRO-ETCHING PROCESS
radiations are an example of these type of radiation. • Search for the normal location of the serial number;
Ultraviolet (UV)light –is a radiation of shorter wavelength than the • Remove grease and oil using alcohol and/or gasoline;
radiation commonly recognized as visible light. It is sometime known as • Polish the area using sand paper
black light because of its invisibility to the eye or wood light. That section • Photograph.
in the electromagnetic spectrum between 156 and 4000n •
UV Light – the name means “beyond violet” (from Latin word ultra,
“beyond”), violet being the color of the shortest wavelengths of visible light. II: Essay - Problems to Solve (25PTS)
UV light has a shorter wavelength than that of violet light. (NOTE: THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE OF CASE SCENARIO
Short wave- 254 nm Long wave – 365 nm INCLUDING THE QUESTIONS BELOW, TRY TO ANSWER
They are longer than the X-rays and shorter than visible rays THE SAMPLE QUESTIONS BASED ON YOUR
Ultraviolet Region –that section of the electromagnetic spectrum between UNDERSTANDING; YOU MAY USED OTHER
196 and 4000A. REFERENCES TO SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER-GOD BLESS
• Visible light – radiates at wavelength between 400 and 700 .)
nanometers (nm) and refers to the only portion of the
 Simulated Crime Scenario
It was a case of suspected rape slay inside an old van parked near a
cemetery. The crime scene investigators went to the crime scene to document
and search for pieces of physical evidence in order to solve the case. The first
thing they noticed was the door of the van. It was forcibly opened. They also
noted that the windshield fronting the driver and the passenger had three
distinct holes. A screwdriver and a hammer were likewise discovered just
below the seat of the victim. They recorded that the victim’s clothes and
underwear were scattered inside the van and she sustained a gunshot wound in
the chest. There was only a small amount of blood observed. They also noted
that there was no glass fragments scattered inside the van. Strands of hair
were also recovered from the hands of the victim. Hair and fibers were also
found near the victim’s seat. Continuous search for pieces of evidence
showed that there were shoeprints on the soft grounds outside the van. Two
witnesses pointed to a group of men who were seen slowly walking away
from the area, the day, before the body was discovered.
A. Tool marks
1. The door of the van was forcibly opened. What would you do with the
tool marks found on the door lock?
2. What would you do in order not to tamper the tool marks that you
discovered on the door of the van?
B. Glass fractures
3. The windshield of the van fronting the driver and the passenger has
three distinct bullet holes. If the radial fracture of the bullet hole fronting the
passenger is interrupted by the radial fracture of the bullet holes fronting the
driver, which is shot first?
4. What can you say if the size of the two bullet holes are different?
5. What does it indicate if no glass fragments are found inside the van and
the bullet holes on the windshield inside the van are small and smooth and
concentric fractures are observed?
C. Casting of impressions

6. What would you do with the impression on soft ground that you find in
the crime scene?
7. How will you determine if the shoe impressions really belong to the
shoes of the man pointed at by the two witnesses?
D. Macro-etching
8. What is the purpose of conducting macro-etching examination?
• To determine whether or not the serial numbers of Motor Vehicles
or Firearms are tampered.
• To restore the original serial number of an article in questioned.
9. Before macro-etching examination is conducted, what is the first thing
that should be done by the crime-scene investigator?
_PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION ON MACRO-ETCHING PROCESS
• Search for the normal location of the serial number;
• Remove grease and oil using alcohol and/or gasoline;
• Polish the area using sand paper
• Photograph.
E. ASSESSMENT:
10. As the investigator-on-case and/or Chief of Police, what will be your
course of action upon receiving from a reliable source about an incident in
your area of responsibility in the scenario given?
How will you assist the Crime laboratory/SOCO/Forensic Examiners with
the above-mentioned physical evidences to avoid technicality and a successful
prosecution of the case in court?