Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Forensic chemistry - is the application of chemistry to

criminal investigation. Focuses on the chemical analysis of
substances connected to a crime.

Forensic Science - is the use of science and technology to

enforce civil and criminal laws.

Blood - a specialized body fluid that circulates in the arteries

and veins of vertebrate animals, carrying oxygen to and
carbon dioxide from the tissues.

Semen - the male reproductive fluid containing spermatozoa

in suspension.

Moulage - is the art of applying mock injuries for the

purpose of training emergency response teams and other
medical and military personnel.

Methods of Identifying Unknown Substance

  1. Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer - useful
      method for the simultaneous separation,
      identification and quantization of one or more
      individual components of an unknown substance or
      mixture.
  2. Spectroscopy - is the study of the interaction
      between matter and radiated energy.

Spectrophotometer - instrument used to aide in the

identification of compound.

Gas Chromatograph - a chemical analyzer and instrument

for separating chemicals in a complex sample.
Mass Spectrometry - is the analytical technique that measures the mass to charge ratio of
charged particles. It is used for determining masses of particles.

Amino Acid - the building blocks of protein coded by triplets of bases of DNA blue print.

Ammonia - a colorless gaseous alkaline compound that is very soluble in water, has
characteristics of pungent odor, is lighter than air and is formed as a result of the 
decomposition of most nitrogenous organic material such as tissue from dead bodies.
Anemia - any condition in which the number of red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin and
the volume of packed red blood cells per 100 ml of blood are less than normal. It may result
from increased destruction of red cells, excessive blood loss or decreased production of red
cells.

Aplasia - failure of an organ or tissue to develop normally.

Autolysis - the destruction of cells after death due to lack of ability to metabolize oxygen
needed by enzymes for cell activity.

Hair - any of the fine threadlike strands growing from the skin of humans,mammals, and some
other animals.

What are the 3 stages of hair growth?

1. Anagen phase - the growth phase.It begins in
    the papilla and can last up to 8 years.The span at
    which the hair remains in this stage is determined by
    genetics.The longer the hair stays in the anagen
    phase,the faster and longer it will grow.About 85%
    of the hair on one's head are in this stage at any
    given time.The hair has a follicular tag.The root bulb
    is flamed shaped.
2. Catagen Phase - also known as the transitional
    phase,allows the follicle to renew itself.During this
    time which last about 2 week,the hair follicle shrinks
    due to disintegration and the papilla detaches and
    rests,cutting the hair strand off from its nourishing
    blood supply while hair is not growing during this
    phase.The length of the terminal fibers increase
    when the follicle pushes them upward.The root is
    elongated.
3. Telogen phase - or resting phase,the hair and
    follicle remain dormant anywhere from 1 to 4
    months,10% to 15% of the hairs in one's head are
    in these phase in any given time.The anagen phase
    begins again when this phase is complete.The root
    is club shaped.

Shedding - the process of normal hair loss.

Alopecia - a hair loss disease that causes the hair to spontaneously fall out.It is mainly characterized by
bald patches on the scalp or other parts of the body and can ultimately cause baldness across the entire
body.

Medulla - inner most layer of the hair shaft.

From which part of the body are most often used for hair comparison? Either head or
pubic.

How to determine the likely race of the person from which a hair originated?
1. Caucasian - evenly distributed,fine pigmentation
    Wavy with round cross section.
2. Mongoloid - Continuous medullation.
3. Negroid - dense,uneven pigmentation.

Rate of speed of hair growth - 1.25 cm or .05 inches per month or about 6 inches or 15 cm.
per year.

What aspect of the hair is the criminalist interested in matching?

1. matching color
2. Length
3. Diameter
4. presence or absence of medulla
5. distribution,shape,and color intensity of the
    pigment granules in the cortex.