CHEM 465
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
Catalog Entry
CHEM 465. Forensic Chemistry
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory. (4).
Prerequisites: CHEM 302, 324, 424
Students will gain insight into the many areas of forensic chemistry and practice techniques commonly used in private, state and federal forensic laboratories. The lecture portion of the course will highlight proper collection, handling, analysis, and data interpretation of physical evidence from an accident or crime scene. The theory and principles of analytical methods and techniques will be presented. Spectroscopic, chromatographic, microscopic, and other techniques will be utilized to analyze evidence such as documents, fingerprints, fibers, paint, glass, firearms, drugs, arson, and explosives.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Lecture Topics
Forensic and Legal Concepts
Crime Laboratory Services
Evidence Collection and Handling
Statistics, Calibration, and Quality Control
Fingerprint Chemistry
Ink and inkless methods
Methods used to lift prints
Analysis of Inks and Paints
Chemistry of Color and Colorants
Chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy
Fiber and Fabric Chemistry
Burning tests, solubility, microscopy, spectroscopy, staining
Hair chemistry
Chemistry of Combustion and Arson
Thermodynamics, kinetics, and heat transfer
Explosives and propellants
Accelerants, fire debris, gunshot residue
Drugs and Toxicology
Classification by origin, function, and general effects
Chemistry of spot tests and other drug detection systems
Screening and Instrumental Analysis
Acidic Drugs: marijuana, hashish, anabolic steroids, designer drugs
Alkaloids: opiates, heroin, morphine, cocaine, hallucinogens, xanthines
Nonalkaloids: amphetamines, anesthetics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Chromatography and Spectroscopy for Drug Detection and Identification
Body-Alcohol Chemistry
Breathalyzer, intoxilyzer, and street tests
Saliva alcohol test
Identification and quantitation by spectroscopy and chromatography
Other Physical Evidence
Glass fragments
Castings
Ballistics
Laboratory Experiences
Fingerprint chemistry - lifting, developing, and matching
Ink chemistry - chromatography
Fiber chemistry - differential staining, burning, solubility, spectroscopy, microscopy
Hair analysis - microscopy, spectroscopy
Chemistry of arson accelerants and combustion products - chromatography
Drug identification and quantitation - chromatography and spectroscopy
Alcohol detection and quantitation - chromatography and spectroscopy
Glass analysis - density, refractometry
Plastic identification - thermal analysis, spectroscopy
Castings
Ballistics matching
Explosives and propellants identification
Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course
The course will be taught in classroom and laboratory settings. Classroom instruction will be a combination of lecture, discussion, case studies, guest lecturers, and student presentations. Students will also have an opportunity to tour the Western Regional Forensic Laboratory in Roanoke.
Time in the laboratory will provide students with the skills needed for proper collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence found at an accident or crime scene. This will provide students a comprehensive exposure to techniques and methods used in private, state, and federal crime laboratories. This course will focus on the following laboratory skills required in the forensic chemistry field:
- Statistical analysis of data collection and testing results
- Solution preparation and standardization
- Instrument calibration
- Sample preparation
Instrumental techniques that will be utilized include, but not limited to:
- Chromatography (thin layer, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography - mass spectrometry)
- Spectroscopy (ultra-violet, infra-red, atomic absorption)
- Microscopy
- Thermal analysis
- Refractometry
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- demonstrate the correct procedures for the collection, handling, and preservation of forensic evidence.
- demonstrate an understanding of the principles, theories, and applications of various analytical methods used to analyze forensic evidence.
- prepare standard solutions and calibrate instruments
- analyze data collected in the laboratory and evaluate the experimental results
- assess the reliability of results and draw reasonable conclusions
- communicate effectively through written and oral reports
- accurately lift and develop finger prints
- match ink brands and paint samples
- analyze hair and fiber samples
- utilize instrumentation to identify arson accelerants after a fire
- identify explosives embedded in consumer products using proper technique
- correctly identify various drugs by use of spectroscopy and chromatography
- quantitate body-alcohol levels
- identify the class of glass from a crime scene
Assessment Measures
Methods of assessment may include:
- student performance on written examinations, quizzes, and homework assignments
- student performance on written laboratory reports and presentations
- student’s ability to prepare samples and use the instrumentation, as measured through a written laboratory report or laboratory practical.
- student’s ability to correctly identify and quantitate analytes of crime scene samples.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
New Course 4/13/09