Forensic Chemistry and

Toxicology

11
“GLASS AND GLASS FRAGMENTS AND FRACTURES”

MS. ELENA MAE CORONEL, RCRIM.

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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

GLASS AND GLASS FRAGMENTS AND

FRACTURES

• TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS GLASS

• TO KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
GLASS
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

GLASS AND GLASS FRAGMENTS AND

FRACTURES
Glass can be considered as hard liquid. It is a hard material but brittle in its
formation; defined by the online Oxford English dictionary as an inorganic product of
fusion which has been cooled to a rigid condition to become a non-crystalline solid and
which makes glass amorphous in nature. Its melting point is not definite and glass is
quite complicated in its molecular composition. This laboratory experiment was
executed in light of a scenario that conveyed a car accident, which occurred, resulting
in the breaking of the headlamp of a car owner, who was suspected to be in the wrong.
Pieces of glass from the crime scene and edges of the suspect’s headlamp were
collected for analysis.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

GLASS AND GLASS FRAGMENTS AND

FRACTURES
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

GLASS
• A super cooled liquid that
possess high viscosity and
rigidity. It is a non-crystalline
inorganic substance.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GLASS

• Toughened glass (Tempered

glass)
– This is a type of safety glass
processed by controlled thermal or
chemical treatments to increase its
strength compared with normal glass.
Tempering puts the outer surfaces into
compression and the inner surfaces
into tension. The theoretical density
for Toughened glass is 2.44g/cm3.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

• Soda-lime glass
–This glass is also called soda-lime-
silica glass. It is the most prevalent
type of glass, used for
windowpanes, and glass containers
(bottles and jars) for beverages,
food, and some commodity items
(Rubin, 2014).The theoretical
density for Soda-lime glass is about
the same as Toughened glass,
which is2.44g/cm3.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

• Borosilicate glass (Pyrex)

– This is a type of glass with
the main glass-forming
constituents of silica and
boron. Pyrex is made to
withstand high temperatures.
It is commonly used for
cooking ware etc. The
theoretical density for
Borosilicate glass is 2.15
g/cm3 to 2.25 g/cm3.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

• Alumino-silicate glass
– This is made from materials
which are minerals
composed of aluminum,
silicon, and oxygen, plus
counteractions. They are a
major component of kaolin
and other clay minerals. The
density for Alumino-silicate
glass is 2.36 g/cm3.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

• Leaded glass (Crystal)

– This type of glass has a variety in
which lead replaces the calcium
content of a typical potash
glass.Typical lead crystal has a
density of around 3.1 g/cm3 and high-
lead glass can be over 4.0 g/cm3 or
even up to 5.9 g/cm3
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

• Fused silica glass

– This glass is made from a form of
silicon dioxide (quartz, sand). Typical
of glasses, it lacks long range order in
its atomic structure. It’s highly cross
linked three dimensional structure
gives rise to its high use temperature
and low thermal expansion coefficient.
The theoretical density for Fused silica
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

ANALYSIS / TEST FOR GLASS

• SPECTROGRAPHIC TEST – an instrumental method

of analysis that determines the presence of trace
element. Shows the constituent elements of a glass. It
will not give sufficient information to establish the origin
of the samples examined. A rapid examination and an
adequate method for glass analysis since it requires
only a small amount of sample.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

2. X-RAY DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS – not as effective as

the spectrographic analysis. Determines the type of pattern
of glass. The type of pattern depends upon the composition
of glass.

3. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES EXAMINATION – the most

sensitive method of determining differences of composition
in glass samples and it depends upon the study of the
physical properties of glass. Properties like specific gravity
or density, refractive index.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

4. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT EXAMINATION – determines

the differences in the appearance of their fluorescence thus
indication of physical and chemical differences.

5. POLISH MARKS – optical glass and other fine

glassware are usually polished. In the polishing of glass
fine marks are often left on the surface that can sometimes
serve as a basis of comparison.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

GLASS AS EVIDENCE OF CRIME

In the field of Forensic Chemistry emphasis is placed on:
1. Automobile glass in case of hit and run.
2. Broken windows caused by pressure, blow or bullet in
case of robbery.
3. Broken bottles, drinking glass or spectacles found at
the scene of assault or other crimes of violence.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

ANALYSIS OF GLASS FROM VEHICLES

Hit and run accidents represent a good percentage

of crimes. If an automobile or any vehicle for that matter
is discovered in which fragments of the lens can be
found, a comparison maybe made with the fragments
found at the scene of accident employing the methods of
analysis for glass.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
There are three types of
glass surface fracture
patterns:
– Radial: originates at point of impact and moves away
from that point
– Concentric: broken series of concentric circles
around the impact point
– Along with the types of impact fracture pattern shown
on the surface of the glass, there are also cross
sectional fracture pattern which aid in determining the
possible type of object which impacted the glass as well
as the direction from which that object made its impact;
these are called the Conchoidal fractures. Concordial
fractures are shaped like arches that are perpendicular
to one side of the glass surface and curved nearly
parallel to the opposite glass surface
NB – concordial fractures follows the 3R rule which
states that Radial fractures forms a Right angle at the
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

ANALYSIS OF BROKEN WINDOWS

BROKEN WINDOWS CAUSED BY BULLET HOLES :
1. On one side of the hole numerous small flakes of glass will be
found to have been blown away giving the hole the appearance of a
volcano crater. Such appearance indicates that the bullet was fired from
the opposite direction of the hole from which the flakes are missing. If
the shot was fired perpendicular to the window pane the flake marks are
evenly distributed around the hole.
2. If the shot was fired at an angle from the right, the left side will
suffer more flaking than the right.
3. Excessive flaking on the right side of a window pane would
indicate a shot fired at an angle from the left.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

BROKEN WINDOWS CAUSED BY FIST OR STONE or

HURLING PROJECTILE

The direction of the blow in case a fist or stone smashed the

window is quite difficult but the principles of radial cracks and
concentric cracks or fractures will apply.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

PROCEDURE: Piece together as many as you can gather

of the glass fragments as possible. Select a triangular piece
bounded by two radial cracks and one concentric crack.
The triangular piece must be adjacent to the point of impact,
it this is not a available select a piece as close as possible
to the point of impact.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

WHERE THERE ARE TWO BULLET HOLES IN A

WINDOW PANE
(ONE FROM EACH SIDE)

The problem of which one was fired first becomes important to

determine who the aggressor is. It will be found that the fractures
caused by the first bullet will be complete, especially the radial cracks,
whereas the fractures from the second will be interrupted and end-
stopped at points where they intersect those from the first.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

FRACTURES ON SAFETY GLASS

Laminated glass, which is now being used in

automobiles, does not shatter when struck sharply.
Frequently the cracking of safety glass is not
complete; the radial cracks do not extend to the
side of impact and the spiral cracks do not extend
to the other side.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

MOULAGE AND OTHER CASTING

TECHNICS
• Casting material – is any material w/c can be changed
from plastic or liquid state to the solid condition is
capable of use as casting material.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

The following are the criteria on which the value of

casting material is assessed.
1. Must be readily fluid or plastic when applied.
2. Must harder rapidly to a rigid mass
3. must not be deformable nor shrink
4. must be easy to apply
5. must have no tendency to adhere to the impression
6. should have of fine composition and surface
7. should not inquire the impression
8. should be easily obtainable
9. should be cheap.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

CLARAS -- recommend the following formulas

1. Hastening – add one-half teaspoonful of the table salt to the

plaster.
2. Retarding – add one part of a saturated solution of borax to
ten-part water to be used in making the plaster.
3. Hardening – to give a cast a greater durability it can be place
on a saturated solution of sodium carbonate, and allowed to
remain in the solution for sometime. It is then removed and
dried.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

TOOLS IMPRESSIONS MAY BE CLASSIFIED INTO TWO

GENERAL CLASSES:

1. These produced by such instruments like an Axe-

hammer, pliers and cutters which touch the area only once in
producing the impression.
a. Compression Marks – which produced by a single
application of tool is the area of contact, for example: the
impression of a single blow of a hammer.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

b. Friction Marks – which are series of scratches or

striations produced by pushing a tool across the surface such as
those produced by cutters jimmy or axe.

• Those produced by such instrument like saw or file which is

applied in a repeated strokes over the same area.
• Cost of Human Body it is important that the temperature of the
negative material should be below 110OF (43.3OC) a
temperature higher than this will be uncomfortable if not
injurious to the subject.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Casting Materials
- Cost of the human body is made by the use of
Negocoll and Hominit or Celert.

1. Degocoll – is a rubbery gelatinous material consisting essentially

of colloidal magnesium scaps.
2. Hominit – is a resinous material used for making positives from
Negocoll negatives. It is a flesh color and is used for external
surfaces.
3. Celerit – is brown and is used for backing and strengthening the
hominid.
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

GLASS AND GLASS FRAGMENTS AND

FRACTURES
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

FN.1.1-1
“Essay on Glass and Glass Examination”

Pen & Paper

none
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

FN-1.1.1

Question:
What is the importance of Glass evidence
examination and how does it helps the crime
investigation?
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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

FN-1.1.1

For Flexible Distance Learning:

• Screenshot of hand written answer on bondpaper and uploaded at Edmodo
Apps
For Modular Distance Learning:
• Handwritten bondpaper and submitted at AISAT Campus

• Five days after the discussion.

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Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what

you can do.”

– John Wooden