Forensic Chemistry

Forensic chemistry - Is that branch of chemistry which deals with the application of chemical principles
in the solution of problems that arise in connection with the administration of justice.

Physical Evidence - Is an article and material which is found in connection with an investigation and
which aid in establishing the identity of the perpetrator or the circumstances under which the crime was
commited or which in general a assist the prosecution of the criminal.

Forensic chemistry - It is chemistry used in courts of law.

blood - fresh

bloodstain

Semen

Seminal stain

Gun Powder Residue

Explosive

Hair

Text tyle fiber

Paper

Ink

Soil

Metal

Foot impression

Shoe impression

Tire impression

Tool impression

Debris

Dangerous drugs / DD

Glass/ glass fragment

Poison
Scope of forensic chemistry

1. It includes the chemical side of criminal investigation.

2. It includes the analysis of any material the quality of which may give rise to legal procedings.

3. It is not limited to purely chemical question involve in legal proceding.

4. It has invaded other branches of forensic sciences notably legal medicine, ballistics, question
document, dactiloscopy, and photography.

Role of Forensic Chemist in the scientific criminal Investigation

Forms of scientific evidence

1. real or autoptic - is that evidence which is address to the senses of the court.

2. Testimonial - it is the declaration of truth or facts by an expert witness.

Ordinary witness - one who states facts and may not express his opinion or
conclusion.

Expert witness - one who posseses a special skill be it on part, trait or science or one who
has special knowledge in matters not generally though to men or ordinary education and
experience.

3. Experimental evidence - an evidence required of an expert witness to prove a certain matter of fact
thru certain experiments.

4. Documentary evidence - any written evidence presented by an expert in court which is relevant to the
subject matter in dispute.

4 stages of work of a Forensic Chemist

1. Collection or reception of the specimen or evidence(physical evidence) or sample to be examine.

a. sufficiency of specimen or evidence or sample.

b. Standard specimen for comparisson.

- known source of specimen use to compare with question specimen, used to compare with the
questioned specimen - is a known specimen or specimen of unknown source.

Question - unknown specimen/ source

Standard - known specimen/ source

Comparative Examination - compare the standard hair and questioned hair based on the color of the
hair, texture, curliness.
hindi lahat kailangan ng standard and questioned, almost not all. Not all

Practical Person to collect Evidence or specimen is a person capable of applying knowledge or theory to
practice person trained by practice.

Ideal Person to collect evidence or specimen is the perfect person. The forensic chemist.

c. Maintenance of individuality.

kung san nakita, ilagay sa seperate na lalagyan. Huwag pagsama samahin ang evidence.

d. labeling and sealing.

2.the actual examination of specimen or evidence.

3. communication of result of examination

4. Court appearance

6 golden rules in the practice of forensic chemistry

1. go slowly

2. be thorough

3. take notes

4. consult others

5. use imagination

6. avoid complicated theories

Primary reasons which may contribute to the disaster of evidence or physical evidence

1. improper packing

2. improper preservation

3. failure to identify specimen

4. improper precautions used in transmitting specimen

5. Lack of precaution to prevent tampering of the specimen