FORS06007 2019 Forensic Chemistry 1

List the common types of physical evidence that may be collected from a crime scene focusing particularly on those requiring inorganic and chemical testing.

Discuss possible techniques for laboratory analysis of inorganic material such as paint, glass, soil, gunshot residue, hair and fibres and apply literature search techniques to prepare a technical report and present technical info in a manner understandable by the court of law.

Recognise the relevance of contamination avoidance procedures and give examples in relation to the location, extraction and analysis of contact trace material

Explain and demonstrate competence in the range of methods used for the recovery / extraction of the commonly encountered physical and chemical trace materials including the use of controls and reference materials.

Demonstrate competence in setting up and use of microscopes for locating, identifying and comparing commonly encountered contact trace material

The module is delivered full time.  This will include lectures, laboratory practicals augmented occasionally by independent learning and directed learning.  This approach is expected to meet the student learning needs.  Laboratory practicals will be scheduled for 8 x 3 hour sessions in a science laboratory.  Moodle will be used as a repository of educational resources and as a means of assessment.  Teamwork is required in the laboratory. On occasion site visits may occur.

The student must meet the assigned gate (mark) in the final exam and achieve 40% overall to pass the subject.

This module is 60% continuous assessment and 40% final exam.

Laboratory skills, ability to work in a team and report writing are assessed as part of the practical work (40%) in the continuous assessment  performed during the module. The  other continuous assessment (20%) will involve the preparation of a technical report  around an assigned topic.

Repeat continuous assessment and/or final exam

Microscopy: The basis of light and electron microscopy instruments e.g. Compound Microscope, Comparison Microscope, Stereo Microscope, Polarizing Microscope, Microspectrophotometer, Fluorescent Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and TEM.

Basis of spectroscopy and some simple spectroscopic instruments used for inorganic analysis. AAS, ICP-MS, XRF

Glass: Chemical structure and physical properties of glass.  Analysis of glass including refractive index GRIM, density, elemental composition.  Fracture Patterns.

Soil: Composition and evidential value of soil.  Analysis using microscopy, size fractionation, density gradient and instrumental techniques for elemental analysis.

Hairs and Fibres:  Hair structure, identification and comparison of Hair human vs. other mammalian hair.  Classification of Fibres;  collection techniques for Fibre Evidence; analysis and comparison.

Paint: Examination of Paint. Microspectrophotometry, FTIR, Pyrolysis Gas chromatography.  Preparation of paint for forensic analysis.

Gunshot residues:  Collection and analysis of residues. Spot tests and Instrumental analysis. GSR kits. Firearms and examination of cartridges by comparison microscopy.

Case studies to illustrate forensic case studies where the various type of evidence glass, paint, fibres etc were significant in the solving of the case. 

Technical report writing.