KAMARAJ COLLEGE, THOOTHUKUDI
DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINOLOGY & POLICE ADMINISTRATION
WITH FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic Chemistry
Unit I: Forensic Chemistry
Forensic chemistry
Forensic Chemistry is the application and methods of chemical science
which are used to solve or prove a crime. It helps in examining the crime scene
and finding important clues using chemistry. It is done using numerous tools and
instruments and is a very important part of solving a crime. This process is done
by a Forensic Chemist who is legally appointed for the examination of the crime
scene. Forensic Chemistry is a subfield of forensic science.
Father of forensic chemistry - Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila
How chemistry used in forensic?
Forensic chemistry is the analytic study of substances that could easily be
misidentified or confused, and finding their identity. Forensic chemists analyse
the physical and chemical properties of different materials in order to identify
them correctly where one or more materials may have similar properties.
Types of cases encountered in Forensic
Chemistry Division
• Cases related to NDPS drugs
• Trap cases
• Acid attacks
• Cases related to illicit liquor or beverages [alcoholic or non-alcoholic]
• Arson cases
, • Cases related to cosmetics
• Adulteration
• Analysis of gold metal and alloys in cheating cases
• Examination of petroleum products such as diesel, kerosene, petrol.
• Analysis of low standard construction materials and also examination of
adulteration.
• Examination of inflammable material in dowry cases.
There are particular standard operating protocols which are followed for the
conformity of the drugs. It is followed as:
,PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OR PRESUMPTIVE TEST
• This includes test just by looking at their physical properties which are not
unique enough by themselves for identification but this provides enough
information to narrow down the search.
• This analysis does not confirm about the substance but it narrow down the
number of possibilities.
• This includes physical appearance [color and odor], pH testing, solubility,
density, flame test.
• This test is done to analyse a sample and establish one of the following:
1. The sample is definitely a X substance
2. The sample is definitely not a X substance
CONFIRMATORY TEST
• These analyses include the properties which are unique to the substance
for purpose of identification.
• This analysis confirms the substance absolutely.
• These analyses include sophisticated instrumentation techniques to
examine unique properties that’s leads to definite identification.
• These test is unequivocal.
CASES ENCOUNTERED IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
• Drug analysis:
Cases that involves drug abuse which has become a matter of concern and
a serious threat. In this modern era, there has been a phenomenal rise in number
of drug abuse cases. These cases include identification of various drugs such as
heroin, opium, morphine, barbiturates, cocaine etc. a proper standard of protocol
is followed for their identification.
, • Arson cases:
Examination of accelerant used during the arson case comes under this
category. It involves the identification of cause of fire. It may be for the fraudulent
insurance claim or to will fully causing destruction to property.
The physical evidence is in the form of burnt remains which can provide good
deal of information. The burnt material will help to establish the cause of fire by
identifying chemical composition of combustible agent used to set it alight and
the consequences of the blaze.
• Trap Cases:
A trap is a method of deliberate setting of the bait and catch the accused
person red handed. Phenolphthalein is being used in most of the anticorruption
cases. A trap can be laid in 3 scenarios. To catch the bribe taker, to catch the bribe
giver, and the cross-trap: to catch both, the bribe giver and the bribe taker. The
third type of trap is usually done with an intelligent input from an independent
third source.
• Adulteration:
Adulteration is the act of intentionally debasing the quality of food by
adding or substituting low quality ingredients or by replacing active ingredient.
This is usually done to lower the cost or increase the bulk of a given food product.
Adulteration is one of the common acts of black marketers and profiteers.
Adulteration is divided into two categories
DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINOLOGY & POLICE ADMINISTRATION
WITH FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic Chemistry
Unit I: Forensic Chemistry
Forensic chemistry
Forensic Chemistry is the application and methods of chemical science
which are used to solve or prove a crime. It helps in examining the crime scene
and finding important clues using chemistry. It is done using numerous tools and
instruments and is a very important part of solving a crime. This process is done
by a Forensic Chemist who is legally appointed for the examination of the crime
scene. Forensic Chemistry is a subfield of forensic science.
Father of forensic chemistry - Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila
How chemistry used in forensic?
Forensic chemistry is the analytic study of substances that could easily be
misidentified or confused, and finding their identity. Forensic chemists analyse
the physical and chemical properties of different materials in order to identify
them correctly where one or more materials may have similar properties.
Types of cases encountered in Forensic
Chemistry Division
• Cases related to NDPS drugs
• Trap cases
• Acid attacks
• Cases related to illicit liquor or beverages [alcoholic or non-alcoholic]
• Arson cases
, • Cases related to cosmetics
• Adulteration
• Analysis of gold metal and alloys in cheating cases
• Examination of petroleum products such as diesel, kerosene, petrol.
• Analysis of low standard construction materials and also examination of
adulteration.
• Examination of inflammable material in dowry cases.
There are particular standard operating protocols which are followed for the
conformity of the drugs. It is followed as:
,PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OR PRESUMPTIVE TEST
• This includes test just by looking at their physical properties which are not
unique enough by themselves for identification but this provides enough
information to narrow down the search.
• This analysis does not confirm about the substance but it narrow down the
number of possibilities.
• This includes physical appearance [color and odor], pH testing, solubility,
density, flame test.
• This test is done to analyse a sample and establish one of the following:
1. The sample is definitely a X substance
2. The sample is definitely not a X substance
CONFIRMATORY TEST
• These analyses include the properties which are unique to the substance
for purpose of identification.
• This analysis confirms the substance absolutely.
• These analyses include sophisticated instrumentation techniques to
examine unique properties that’s leads to definite identification.
• These test is unequivocal.
CASES ENCOUNTERED IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
• Drug analysis:
Cases that involves drug abuse which has become a matter of concern and
a serious threat. In this modern era, there has been a phenomenal rise in number
of drug abuse cases. These cases include identification of various drugs such as
heroin, opium, morphine, barbiturates, cocaine etc. a proper standard of protocol
is followed for their identification.
, • Arson cases:
Examination of accelerant used during the arson case comes under this
category. It involves the identification of cause of fire. It may be for the fraudulent
insurance claim or to will fully causing destruction to property.
The physical evidence is in the form of burnt remains which can provide good
deal of information. The burnt material will help to establish the cause of fire by
identifying chemical composition of combustible agent used to set it alight and
the consequences of the blaze.
• Trap Cases:
A trap is a method of deliberate setting of the bait and catch the accused
person red handed. Phenolphthalein is being used in most of the anticorruption
cases. A trap can be laid in 3 scenarios. To catch the bribe taker, to catch the bribe
giver, and the cross-trap: to catch both, the bribe giver and the bribe taker. The
third type of trap is usually done with an intelligent input from an independent
third source.
• Adulteration:
Adulteration is the act of intentionally debasing the quality of food by
adding or substituting low quality ingredients or by replacing active ingredient.
This is usually done to lower the cost or increase the bulk of a given food product.
Adulteration is one of the common acts of black marketers and profiteers.
Adulteration is divided into two categories
