FS 3 (Forensic Chemistry & Toxicology) d.
Multiple myeloma – a form of blood cancer
Reviewer for Both Old & New Curriculum
(by Dulguime, Pepito, & Senados)
Forensic Chemistry – blood is a circulating issue of
the body. It carries oxygen and nutrients to the most
remote parts of the body, and it removes waste
products away from the body. The average size
person has about 5 liters (more than a gallon) of
blood.
The blood composes of two main parts:
a. The plasma
b. Blood cells
Plasma – is the yellow fluid that makes up about
55% of the content of blood. Around 90% of
plasma is water and the rest are solid (dry mater)
that is largely protein in nature. Plasma contains
proteins that help blood clot, transport substances
through the blood, and perform other functions.
Blood plasma also contains glucose and other
dissolved nutrients.
Blood cells – is a cell that moves around or
circulates the blood. These cells are of three (3)
types:
 Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) – a cell
which carry oxygen to the tissue. The red
blood cells contains hemoglobin which is
responsible in giving red color of the blood.
 White Blood Cells (Leukocytes) – cell that
helps fight infection. It protects the body
against invading microorganisms and
foreign particles.
 Platelets (Thrombocytes) – cells that help
blood to clot.
Blood Conditions
a. Hemorrhage (Bleeding) – Blood leaking
out of blood vessels may be obvious, as
from a wound penetrating the skin.
b. Hematoma (Internal Bleeding) – a
collection of blood inside the body tissues.
c. Leukemia – a form of blood cancer, in
which white blood cells multiply abnormally
and circulate through the blood. The
excessive large numbers of white cells
deposit in the body’s tissues, causing
damage.
of plasma cells similar to leukemia. Anemia,
kidney failure and high blood calcium levels
are common in multiple myeloma.
e. Lymphoma – a form of blood cancer, in
which white blood cells multiply abnormally
inside lymph nodes and other tissues. The
enlarging tissues, and disruption of bloods
functions can eventually cause organ failure.
f. Anemia – an abnormally low number of red
blood cells in the blood. Fatigue and
breathlessness can result, although anemia
often causes no noticeable symptoms.
g. Hemolytic anemia – anemia caused by
rapid bursting of large numbers of red blood
cells (hemolysis). An immune system
malfunction is one cause.
h. Hemochromatosis – a disorder causing
excessive levels of iron in the blood. The
iron deposits in the liver, pancreas and other
organs, causing liver problems and diabetes.
i. Sickle cell disease – a genetic condition in
which red blood cells periodically lose their
proper shape (appearing like sickles, rather
than discs). The deformed blood cells
deposit in tissues, causing pain and organ
damage.
j. Bacteremia – bacterial infection of the
blood. Blood infections are serious, and
often require hospitalization and continuous
antibiotic infusion into the veins.
k. Malaria – infection of red blood cells by
Plasmodium, a parasite transmitted by
mosquitos. Malaria causes episodic fevers,
chills, and potentially organ damage.
l. Thrombocytopenia – abnormally low
numbers of platelets in the blood. Severe
thrombocytopenia may lead to bleeding.
m. Leukemia – abnormally low numbers of
white blood cells in the blood. Leukemia can
result in difficulty fighting infections.
n. Disseminated intravascular coagulation
(DIC) – an uncontrolled process of
simultaneously bleeding and clothing in
very small blood vessels. DIC usually
results from severe infections or cancer.
o. Hemophilia – an inherited (genetic)
deficiency of certain blood clotting proteins.
Frequent or uncontrolled bleeding can result
from hemophilia.
p. Hypercoaguable state – Numerous
conditions can result in the blood being
prone to clotting. A heart attack, stroke, or
blood clots in the legs or lungs can result.
q. Polycythemia – abnormally high numbers
of red blood cells in the blood. Polycythemia
can result from low blood oxygen levels, or
may occur as a cancer-like condition.
r. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) – a blood
clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. DVT’s
are dangerous because they may become
dislodged and travel to the lungs, causing a
pulmonary embolism (PE).
s. Myocardial infraction (MI) – commonly
called a heart attack, a myocardial infraction
occurs when a sudden blood clot develops in
one of the coronary arteries, which supply
blood to the heart.
TEST FOR BLOOD
A. Preliminary Test for Blood (presumptive
test for blood) – a test determines whether
or not the suspected stain in blood or just an
ordinary stain. It is usually conducted at the
crime scene.
1. Benzidine Test – this is the most
common method of preliminary test for
blood but at present it is no longer
frequently use because Benzidine is
carcinogen that can cause cancer. This is
conducted by dropping a Benzidine
solution to a filter paper containing
suspected blood stain and a drop of
hydrogen peroxide solution is added.
Positive result emits INTENSE BLUE
COLOR.
2. Phenolphthalein Test (Kastle-Meyer
Test) – it is an alternative test for
benzidine for it is safer to use. A
phenolphthalein solution is dropped on
the suspected blood stain and added
with a drop of hydrogen peroxide.
Presence of blood in the stain will give
DEEP PINK IN COLOR.
3. Leucomalachite Green Test – This test
is conducted by swabbing the suspected
blood stain with clean filter paper or a
swab, which may be moistened if
necessary with deionized water, ethanol
or saline. The 1-2 drops of the LMG
reagent is applied. The Add 1-2 drops of
3% hydrogen peroxide. An immediate
BLUE-GREEN COLOR change
indicates a positive result. No color
change indicates a negative result.
4. Guaiacum Test – the usual procedure
for the application of this test is to cut
out small pieces of stain fabric and
transfer it to the porcelain dish or test
plate where it soaked with a drop of
tincture of guaiac. In addition of old
turpentine ozonic hydrogen peroxide
solution, a beautiful BLUE COLOR
appears immediately if the stain is
blood.
5. Luminol Test – this ideally employed
when the blood is invincible to the
naked eye. The test is usually done by
spraying luminal reagent into the
suspected blood stain and it must be
done in the dark area. Emission of light
in the suspected area gives positive
result.
B. Confirmatory Test – test for blood
conducted after the preliminary test for
blood to authenticate or verify the previous
finding of the presence of blood.
1. Microscopic Test – a confirmatory test
for blood using microscopic. The test
will also differentiate a piscine,
reptilian, mammalian and avian
blood.
2. Microchemical Test – test using
chemical applied to the suspected blood
specimen and viewed it under
microscopic.
 Teicmann Test – a test consisting
of a solution of potassium bromide,
potassium chloride and potassium
iodide in glacial acetic acid, and is
heated to react with hemoglobin.
The reaction first converts the
hemoglobin to hemin, and then the
halides react with the hemin to form
characteristics BROWNISH-
YELLOW rhomboid crystals.
 Acetone-haemin Test – a using
acetone and oxalic acid. Small dark,
diachronic acicular crystals of
acetone haemen are seen.
  Takayama Test – test to determine
the presence of hemoglobin.
C. Precipitin Test – test to determine whether
a blood is of human or animal blood.
OTHER BLOOD TEST
 Complete Blood Count
 Blood Smear
 Blood Type
 Coombs Test
 Blood Culture
 Mixing Study
 Bone Marrow Biopsy
COLLECTION & PRESERVATION of Blood
Evidence
a. Liquid Blood
- Blood that is in liquid pools should be
picked up on the gauze pad or other
clean sterile cotton cloth and allowed to
air dry at room temperature.
- Don’t dry the bloods stained materials
directly under the sunlight or with the
use of electric fan.
- They should be separately placed in a
paper bag and brought to the laboratory
as quickly as possible. Delays beyond
48 hours may make the sample useless
for examination.
- Bring along with the stained questioned
material unstained portion to serve as
control in the analysis to be counted.
b. Dried Blood Stains
- When found in clothing, if possible,
wrap the items in clean paper, place the
article in a brown bag and seal and label
the container. Do not attempt to remove
stains from the cloth.
- If found in small solid objects, send the
whole stained object to the laboratory,
after labeling and packaging.
- Whenever the stain is found on large
solid objects, cover the stained area with
clean paper and seal the edges down
with tape to prevent loss or
contamination.
- If it would be impractical to carry and or
deliver the whole object to the
laboratory, scrape the stain onto a clean
piece of paper which can be folded and
placed in an envelope. Collect also an
unstained portion of specimen which
will serve as control.
- Never scrape dried blood stains directly
into evidence envelop. Scrape blood
stain from the object using a freshly
washed and dried knife or similar tool.
Wash and dry the tool before each stain
in different location is scraped off. Seal
and mark the envelope with the
pertinent data of the case.
- Never mix dried blood stain in one
container. Each must be packed
separately and label properly.
Characteristics of Blood from Different
Sources:
a. Arterial Blood
- Bright Scarlet in Color
- Leaves the blood vessel with pressure
- High Oxygen content
b. Venous Blood
- Dark red in color
- Does not spill far from the wound
- Low Oxygen Content
c. Menstrual Blood
- Does not clot
- Acidic in reaction owing to mixture with
vaginal mucous
- Microscope: there are vaginal epithelial
cells
- Contains large number of deoderlein’s
bacillus
d. Child Blood
- It is thin and soft at birth
- RBC are nucleated and exhibited greater
fragility
- RBC count more than in adult
SEMEN & SEMINAL STAIN
SEMEN – is a whitish fluid of the male
reproductive tract consisting of spermatozoa
suspended in the secretion of accessory
glands.
Composition of Semen:
(Semen consist of 2 main parts)
1. Seminal Fluid – which has
characteristics of alkaline odor.
2. Formed Cellular Elements
 - spermatozoa, epithelial cells and crystal
of chorine and lecithin. A healthy and
average size man releases 2.5 to 6 mL of
seminal fluid in every ejaculation. In
every 1 ml of seminal fluid contains 100
million or more spermatozoa, of the
male productive cells. Hence, in single
ejaculation there are around 400 to 500
million of spermatozoa.
Semen and Seminal stains are important in the
following cases:
 RAPE
 ADULTERY
 SODOMY
 BESTIALITY
 OTHER SEXUAL OFFENSES
ASPERMIA VS. OLIGOSPERMIA
Aspermia is a condition of a male that have no
spermatozoa at all in his ejaculation while
Oligospermia is a condition of a male that have
a very low sperm counts or few spermatozoa.
EXAMINATION OF SEMEN or SEMINAL
TEST
a. Physical Examination – method of
examination of semen performed by
scrutinizing the physical appearance of the
suspected seminal stain including its color
and odor. It is done using ultra-violate light.
Semen when dry gives a sniff feeling to the
cloth and produces slight deepening of the
color with the disappearance of the color.
Semen when viewed under ultra-violate
light will exhibit bluish fluorescence.
b. Chemical Examination – examination of
semen through the application of chemicals
that will react to seminal fluid or stain.
- Florence Test – a little size of cloth
suspected to have seminal stain will be
soak with saline on a microscope slide
and add a drop of Florence reagent and
cover it with a cover slip. When dark
brown crystals rhombic or needle-
shaped appear in crossed cluster crystal
will indicate the presence of semen.
- Barberios’s Test – the suspected
seminal stain or a fresh semen mixed
with picric acid is placed on a glass slide
and view under the low power
microscope, if semen is present, a
crystal rhombic appeared as slender
yellow-tinted, rhomboid needles with
obtuse angle.
- Acid Phosphates Test – the most
reliable test for the presence of semen.
This test is specific to human and higher
ape.
c. Microscopic Examination – the suspected
semen will be viewed under a compound
microscope to detect the presence of
spermatozoa.
d. Biological Examination – test to determine
whether or not a semen is of human or
animal fluid.
GUN POWDER & other EXPLOSIVES
Gun powder defined – an explosive mixture as
of potassium nitrate (explosive ingredients).
Sulfur (stabilizer), and charcoal (for
combustion), used in shells and cartridges, in
fireworks, for blasting, etc.
Explosives defined – are group of endothermic
compounds or mixture which causes explosions.
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPLOSIVES
1. According to type of reaction that they
undergo upon explosion
a. Low Explosives – are slow burning
explosives and are used mainly as
propellant powder. (examples: Black
Powder or Smokeless Powder)
b. Primary Explosives – are extremely
sensitive to denotation by the heat,
shock, friction, and impact. They
detonate without burning. (example:
Mercury Fulminate and Lead Azide).
c. High Explosives – are explosives that
have a very fast or high detonating rate
such as ammonium nitrate, dynamite,
TNT, RDX, etc. High Explosives can be
grouped into two:
- Initiating Explosives – are ultra-
sensitive to heat, shock or friction and
under normal condition will detonate
violently instead of burning. These
groups are called PRIMERS because
they detonate other explosives through a
chain reaction.
 - Non-initiating Group – are relatively
insensitive to shock and heat or friction
and will normally burn rather than
detonate if they are ignited in small
quantities in an open air.
2. According to Functioning Characteristics
a. Inorganic Compound –
Example: Lead Azide, Ammonium
Nitrate.
b. Organic Compound – Example:
Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Picric Acid,
Nitrocellulose, Mercury Fulminate
c. Mixture of Oxidizable & Oxidizing
agents that are not explosives
separately – Example: Black Powder
3. Other Classification:
a. ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil)
b. RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
c. PENT (Pentaerythrito tetranitratel)
d. TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
e. Plastic Explosives
f. Dynamite
g. Urea Nitrate
h. TATP (Triacetone-Triperoxide)
CLASSIFICATION OF EXPLOSIONS
a. Chemical Explosion – produced through
the extremely rapid transformation of the
unstable explosive compound into stable
substances.
b. Mechanical Explosion – produced due to
high pressure built up exceeding the
structure of the container.
c. Atomic Explosion – produced due to
atomic transformation.
d.
FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY
- Is a branch of Forensic Medicine
dealing with Medical and Legal aspects
of the harmful effects of chemicals on
human beings.
TOXICOLOGY
- Is that branch of science that treats of
poison, their origin, physical and
chemical properties, physiological
action, treatment and their noxious
effect and method of detection.
POSOLOGY
- A branch of pharmacology that deals
with the study of the dosages of
medicines and drugs.
POISON
- Is a substance that when introduce into
the body and is absorbed brought the
blood stream and acting chemically is
capable of producing noxious effect.
-
CLASSIFICATION OF POISON
1. According to its Chemical Properties
a. Inorganic Poison - poison without carbon
- Corrosive – poisons characterized
principally by an intense and destruptive
action
- Metallic Poisons and Salts -are
protoplasmic irritants, but their chief
action is the deleterious effect produce
after absorption into the system. It is
isolated by refluxion.
b. Organic Poison – poison with carbon
- Alkaloid – these substances are toxic
principles of plants which have a
characteristics action of some parts of
the central nervous system; they are well
defined group.
- Non-alkaloid – a conglomerate
collection of other organic toxic
substances, non-volatile and non-
alkaloidal.
- Animal Poison
- Bacterial Poison
- Glucosides Poison
c. Gaseous Poison – poison present in
gaseous state.
2. According to its Physiological Action
a. Corrosives
b. Irritants
c. Narcotics
d. Neurotics
e. Tetanics
f. Depressants or Sedatives
g. Asthenics or Exhaustive
3. According to its Intended Use
a. Algaecide or Algicide – used to kill or
prevent the growth of algae
b. Avicide – kill birds
 c. Biocide – a chemical substance capable       A. Albert Osborne                              
of killing living organisms, usually in a       B. Walker Mc Crone 
selective way       C. Hans Gross
d. Fungicide – used to kill or inhibit fungi
      D. Edmond Locard
or fungal spores
e. Microbicide – any compound or 3. Considered the father of forensic
substances whose purpose is to reduce publications.
the infectivity of microbes       A. Albert Osborne                            
f. Bactericide – kills bacteria       B. Walker Mc Crone
g. Viricide – kills viruses       C. Hans Gross
h. Herbicide – kill unwanted plants       D. Edmond Locard
i. Parasiticide – kill parasites
4. The Father of Document Examination.
j. Pesticide – a substance/mixture of
substances used to kill a pest       A. Albert Osborne                              
      B. Walker Mc Crone  
      C. Hans Gross
Types of Pesticide       D. Edmond Locard
- Acaricide (kill mites) 5. The Father of Bloodstain Identification.
- Insecticide (against insects)       A. Calvin Goddard                               
- Molluscicide (against molluscs)
      B. Leone Lattes 
- Nematocide (kill parasitic nematodes or
also known as roundworms)       C. Francis Galton
- Rodenticide (a category of pest control       D. Alphonse Bertillon
chemicals intended to kill rotents) 6. The Father of Anthropometry.
-       A. Calvin Goddard                                
k. Spermicide – a substance that kills       B. Leone Lattes  
sperm       C. Francis Galton
      D. Alphonse Bertillon
Common poisons:
 Cyanide – one of the most lethal chemicals 7. The Father of Fingerprinting.
known…used for executions…causes a       A. Calvin Goddard                             
bright cherry red blood       B. Leone Lattes 
 Strychnine – rat poisons…causes so much       C. Francis Galton
pain that it is rarely used in suicide       D. Alphonse Bertillon  
 Ethylene glycol – antifreeze…a favorite 8. The father of Toxicology.
(deadly) beverage among alcoholics when
      A. Mathiew Orfila                                
they can’t get ethanol
 Insulin – lifesaving for diabetics but deadly       B. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
overdoses       C. Hans Gross
      D. Walter Mc Crone
Q & A Questions Reviewer 1 9. Popularized Scientific Crime Detection
1. Considered the father of the crime methods through his fictional character
laboratory. Sherlocke Holmes.
      A. Albert Osborne                                     A. Mathiew Orfila                                   
      B. Walker Mc Crone         B. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle  
      C. Hans Gross       C. Hans Gross
      D. Edmond Locard       D. Sir William Herscel
2. Considered the father of microscopic 10.The Application of Scientific Techniques in
forensics. collecting and analyzing physical evidence in
 criminal cases. microscopic whip like appendage that enables many
      A. Ballistics                                         protozoa, bacteria, spermatozoa to swim
      B. Criminalistics       A. Spermatozoa                                        
      C. Forensics       B. Protozoa    
      D. Criminal Investigation       C. Flagella
                                                                                  D. Semen.                                             
4. A phylum or group of phyla that comprises the
  Remember The Following: single celled microscopic animals which includes
1. Edmond Locard - Considered the father of amebas, flagellates,ciliates, spocozoans and many
the crime laboratory. other forms.
2. Walker Mc Crone - considered the father of       A. Spermatozoa                                         
microscopic forensics.       B. Protozoa
3. Hans Gross - Considered the father of       C. Flagella
forensic publications.       D. Semen
4. Albert Osborne - The Father of Document 5. The haploid cell that is the male gamete.
Examination.       A. Spermatozoa                                      
5. Leone Lattes - The Father of Bloodstain       B. Protozoa 
Identification.       C. Sperm Cell
6. Alphonse Bertillon - The Father of       D. Semen
Anthropometry. 6. An unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of
7. Francis Galton - The Father of development.
Fingerprinting.       A. Zygote                                                
8. Mathiew Orfila - The father of Toxicology.       B. Gamete
9. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Popularized       C. Embryo
Scientific Crime Detection methods through       D. Sperm
his fictional character Sherlock Holmes. 7. A single cell with a complete set of chromosomes
10.Criminalistics - The Application of that normally develops into an embryo.
Scientific Techniques in collecting and       A. Zygote                                                  
analyzing physical evidence in criminal cases.       B. Gamete
      C. Embryo
Q & A Questions Reviewer 2       D. Sperm
1. Is an organic fluid that may contain spermatozoa.
8. The sex chromosome that is present in both sexes.
      A. Blood                                                     
Singly males and doubly in females.
      B. Urine  
      A. Zygote                                                  
      C. Semen
      B. X chromosome      
      D. Saliva
      C. Gamete
2.The mature motile male sex cell of a male
      D. Y chromosome
organism by which the ovum is fertilized, typically
9. The sex chromosome that is carried by men.
having a compact head and one or more long flagella
      A. Zygote                                                
for swimming.
      B. X chromosome  
      A. Spermatozoa                                         
      C. Gamete
      B. Protozoa  
      D. Y chromosome                                                
      C. Flagella
      D. Semen
10. Father of micro biology and considered to be the
3. A slender thread like structure especially a
first microbiologists
      A. Antonie Philips Van Leeuwenhoek           
      B. Bridgett Bardot 
      C. Andy Warhol
      D. Emma Stone
                                                                            
1. Semen - Is an organic fluid that may contain
spermatozoa. And, the male reproductive fluid
containing spermatozoa in suspension.
2. Spermatozoa - The mature motile male sex cell of
a male organism by which the ovum is fertilized,
typically having a compact head and one or more
long   flagella for swimming.
3. Flagella - A slender thread like structure
especially a microscopic whip-like appendage that
enables many protozoa, bacteria, spermatozoa   to
swim.
4. Protozoa - A phylum or group of phyla that
comprises the single celled microscopic animals
which includes amebas, flagellates, ciliates,
spocozoans and many other forms.
5. Sperm cell - The haploid cell that is the male
gamete. And, the male reproductive cell.
6. Embryo - An unborn or unhatched offspring in the
process of development. And, an unborn human baby
especially in the first 8 weeks from conception, after
implantation but before all organs are developed.

7. Zygote - A single cell with a complete set of

chromosomes that normally develops into an embryo.
 
8. X chromosome - The sex chromosome that is
present in both sexes. Singly in males and doubly in
females. Human females normally have two X
chromosomes.
9. Y chromosome - The sex chromosome that is
carried by men. Human males normally have one X
chromosome and one Y chromosome.  
10. Antonie Philips Van Leeuwenhoek - Father of
micro biology and considered to be the first
microbiologists.