FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

KIMBERLY MAE MIRANTES

MSCRIM-1
SCOPE OF PRESENTATION

I. INTRODUCTION
II. DEFINITION OF TERMS
III. BODY
IV. FINDINGS
V. CONCLUSIONS
VI. RECOMMENDATIONS
VII. REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
Forensic chemistry is one of the subfield of forensic science
which plays a very vital role in the administration of justice. In
fact, police detectives and criminal prosecutors recognize the
importance of forensic chemistry in criminal investigation for it
helps analyze chemical pieces of evidence found at the scene
of a crime. These pieces of evidence are identified and
examined for proving the diversity of crimes like homicides,
sexual assaults, suicides, accidental poisoning, health and
occupational hazards associated with metallic poisons,
pesticides, insecticides, and others.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
CHEMISTRY. A science that deals with the composition, structure and properties of
substances and with the transformations that they undergo.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. Is an art which deals with the identity and location of
the offender and provide evidence of guilt through criminal proceedings.

EVIDENCE. Is the means, sanctioned by the Revised Rules of Court, of

ascertaining to a judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact.

FORENSIC CHEMIST. The one who practices forensic chemistry.

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY. 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. 
WHAT IS FORENSIC SCIENCE?

It is the application of a broad spectrum of

sciences to answer questions of interest to
the legal system.
SUBFIELD OF FORENSIC SCIENCE
 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 proceeding.

3.It is not limited to purely chemical questions involved in legal

proceedings.
4.It has invaded other branches of forensic sciences notably
legal medicine, ballistics, questioned documents,
dactyloscopy, and photography
 SIGNIFICANCE OF FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
 EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF VOLATILE AND FLAMMABLE
MATERIALS ESPECIALLY FOUND IN SUSPECTED CASES OF ARSON CASES
 EXAMINATION OF BLOOD, TISSUES, VISCERA IN SUSPECTED POISONING
CASES.
 IDENTIFICATION OF SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL POISONS
 IDENTIFICATION OF ALCOHOL AND NARCOTICS

 ANALYSIS OF FIREARM, EXPLOSIVE AND ARSON RESIDUES.

 EXAMINATION OF INKS, PAINTS, DYES AND OTHER COLOURING AGENTS.

SIX GOLDEN RULES IN THE PRACTICE OF
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

GO SLOWLY
BE THOROUGH
TAKE NOTE
CONSULT OTHERS
USE IMAGINATION
AVOID COMPLICATED THEORIES
PRIMARY REASON WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO 
THE DISASTER OF EVIDENCE/SPECIMEN

1.Improper packing of specimen

2.Failure of identification of specimen

3.Improper, precaution use in transmitting the
specimen.
4.Lack of precautions to prevent tampering
of the specimen
 INSTRUMENT USED FOR ANALYSIS
1. GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
Separates unsteady substance into different components by passing
the volatile materials through a long absorbent column.
This technology is used in a case where it is necessary to identify a
person body and analyze blood found in the crime scene.
This technique is used to analyze volatile gases in forensic
chemistry.
2. MASS SPECTROMETRY

 It breaks samples apart and separates the ionized fragments by

mass and charge. 
 Forensic chemists use Mass spectrometry to analyze samples to
determine its molecular makeup.
 This equipment used in forensic chemistry laboratory makes it
possible to break samples that are very small, collected from the
crime scene.
3. ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
 It is used to analyze compounds in the ultraviolet regions of
electromagnetic spectrum , it helps differentiate between samples of
proteins and nucleic acids.

4. THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

 It is used to analyze inks, dye and paints and other different toxins.
FAMOUS CASE IN WHICH CHEMISTRY WAS USED

Ted Bundy Case

Ted Bundy was an American serial killer who kidnapped, raped, and

murdered numerous young women and girls during the 1970s and
possibly earlier. After more than a decade of denials, he confessed to
30 homicides, committed in seven states between 1974 and 1978. His
true victim total is unknown, and believed by some investigators to be
higher. Physical evidence were collected to connect and find the
estimated number of people who were killed.
FINDINGS

1. Forensic chemistry plays a very significant role in the

conduct of criminal investigation and administration of
justice.

2. Forensic chemistry, despite its significance, is

underrated in the Philippines.
CONCLUSION
1. Forensic chemistry, just like any other sciences like forensic
medicine, forensic ballistic, dactyloscopy, and any other, is
very important in the conduct of criminal investigation and
administration of justice. Most of the pieces of evidence found
at the scene of the crime are physical and chemical evidence,
thus, these pieces of evidence are vital in the identification of
suspect/s and providing evidence for their guilt. In fact,
majority of crimes like homicide, rape and arson are
successfully solved through the use of forensic chemistry.
2. Forensic chemistry is not given much importance in the
legal field despite its significant role in elucidating legal
matters. In fact, at present, the PNP has only 1 instrument
called Gas Chromatography which is found in crime laboratory
headquarter. Given the fact, this only shows that the
government lack support to purchase necessary tools and
equipment in forensic chemistry.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Since forensic chemistry plays a vital role in the administration of
justice and elucidating legal problems, the government should provide
for ways to produce qualified and competent forensic chemist in the
field of law enforcement. The government should provide training for
our forensic chemist as it would be beneficial in the administration of
justice.

2. The government should provide and allocate adequate funds in the

purchase of instruments used in forensic chemistry like gas
chromatography, mass spectrometry, thin layer chromatography and
more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AnRtHHwxYc