“ If the law has made you a
witness, remain a man of
Science. You have no victim to
avenge, no guilty or innocent
person to ruin or save. You must
bear witness within the limits of
Science.”
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
Forensic Chemistry is defined as that branch of Chemistry
which deals with application of chemical principles in the
solution of crimes. Like the other forensic sciences, Forensic
Chemistry plays a very important part in the speedy
investigation and administration of justice.
The value of the findings of a chemist in covicting the guilty,
as well as in clearing the innocent suspect, has long been
recognized not only in the criminal investigation and detection
but also in courts of law. The Forensic Chemist is often called to
render testimony in court.
Scope
Forensic Chemistry is the Science that deals with the study
and application of chemical principles in the solution of problem
that arises in connection with the administration of justice.
• This Forensic Science deals with application of Chemistry in the
identification of evidence, its physical and chemical properties.
• It also includes the collection, preservation, examination and
study of blood semen, and other body fluids; examination of
dangerous drugs; examination of body fluid to determine the
presence of dangerous drugs; alcohol (liquor) test; examination
of fake products for unfair trade competition; arson
investigation; macro etching examination; bullet trajectory;
ultraviolet examination; tools and other marks
On the other hand, Forensic Toxicology deals with examination of
human internal organs, food samples and water and gastric contents
for the purpose of detecting the presence of poisonous substance, its
dosage, its effects, and treatment.
Practice of Forensic Chemistry
The work of a Forensic Chemist is divided into four stages,
namely:
1. Collection or reception of the specimen
2. The actual examination
3. The communication of the results of the examination
4. Court Apperance
Collection of the specimen to be examined
The proper collection, preservation and transportation of
specimens are essential in the investigation of a crime. Hence,
whenever possible, the chemist should personally collect all the
specimens necessary for the examination. This particular stage of a
Forensic Chemist’s work is essential as questions regarding the
collection, preservation and transportation of the specimen are
raised during the trial.
Factors that must be considered when collecting
specimen for examination:
a. Sufficiency of Samples
As much as possible, the investigator should collect sufficient
amount of specimen for examination. This will make the Chemist
confident that in case of doubtful result, he or she can still have
enough samples to repeat or to proceed to the succeeding
examinations.
b. Standard for comparison
When the evidence in question is located in or added with the
foreign substance, a sample of such foreign substance must be
submitted for analysis.
c. Maintenance of Individuality
Each piece of evidence must be collected and preserved as a
separate sample. There must be no mixing or intermingling of
specimen/s collected from different locations, as well as those of
standard specimen/s
d. Labelling and Sealing
It is a well- settled rule that evidence will have no value in court in
spite of the good report of the expert if the specimen cannot be
identified by reason of improper labelling.
Actual Examination of the Specimen
- The first step in the examination of an article is to
scrutinize it carefully and write down in the laboratory
notebook a complete description of its external appearance
including the manner in which it is secured and particulars
of the sealing.
• photograph of the specimen including the inner wrappings
and take note of its descriptions.
• All wrappers should kept and preserved since questions
concerning them may be raised in court during trial.
- The second step in the examination is to measure or weigh the
object and all measurements and weights should be entered in
the laboratory logbook/record book.
- The third step is the laboratory examination which consists of
chemical, physical, and confirmatory tests.
Communication of the results of the examination
- The results of the examination conducted should be
communicated with the requesting party in the form of a written
report which must include an enumeration of facts on the specimen
received for examination with detailed description of the packaging,
sealing and labelling, date of receipt and from whom it was received,
the purpose of the examination, the finding and conclusion.
Court Appearance
- The written report of the Forensic Chemist is usually
supplemented by testimonial evidence in a later date if the case is
brought to court or the fiscal’s office. In court appearance the
witness must be composed and as much as possible avoid being
irritated by upbraiding of the opposite counsel.
Six Golden Rules
1. Go Slowly- Good work cannot be hurried, therefore, take all the
time necessary to make the case complete no matter how urgent
it may appear.
2. Be thorough- Make careful and minute examination of
everything and do not be satisfied with a quantitative analysis if
a quantitative one is possible. It always pays to do too much
rather than too little and it is difficult to foresee what will or
will not be required in court.
3. Take Notes- Keep a full neat and clean record of everything
seen and done.
4. Consult others- Many cases will lead the expert into paths with
which he is not familiar and when this happens he should consult
those who know better.
5. Use imagination- An expert with a wide and uncontrollable
imagination is considered as the most dangerous creature.
Though his being imaginative is sometimes useful, an expert
witness does not have to be solely imaginative but he has to be
skilled in the field of Forensic Science.
6. Avoid complicated theories- The simplest explanation is
fundamentally the right one.
Factors Contributing to the loss of Physical Evidence.
a. Lack of precautions preventing tampering of specimen.
b. Failure in preservation
c. Failure in transport
d. Failure in identifying the specimen
e. Improper packing of specimen
Equipments used in the Forensic Examination
1. HPLC ( High Powered Liquid Chromatography )
This scientific equipment is for the qualitative and
quantitative determination of a volatile or non volatile compound
based on the chromatographic separation of components.
2. Ultra- Violet spectrophotometer
It is used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic
compounds.
3. EMIT ( Enzyme Multiple Immuno Assay Technique )
It is used for screening of abused urine samples.
4. SEM ( Scanning Electron Microscope )
This scientific equipment is used for the physical identification
of various questioned specimens.
5. FTIR ( Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Used for identification of pure organic substances. It
identifies organic substances particularly abused drugs and
explosive ingredients based on their characteristic functional
groups.
