Forensic science applications physical evidence

Foreign uranium resources, 17 522 Foreman and Veatch cell, 9 664 Forensic analysts, certification of, 12 95 Forensic biology, 12 102-104 Forensic chemistry, 12 89-104 physical evidence in, 12 90-95 Forensic laboratories, local and state, 12 98 Forensics, liquid chromatography applications, 6 465 Forensic science laboratories, 12 95 Forensic science, supercritical fluid extraction in, 24 14 Forensic testing, 12 95-104 Forensic toxicology, interpretation of results in, 12 98... 

Forensic Chemistry (Chemical Criminalistics). This branch of science relates to the application of chemical knowledge and techniques to die study of physical evidence connected with crime. Investigation of firearms, ammunition and expls is one of the duties of a forensic chemist Refs i) A. Lucas, "Forensic Chemistry and Scientific Criminal Investigation 1, Longmans, Green, London (1935), Chap 7, Explosives Chap 11, Fireworks 2) H. 

Unfortunately, there is at present no available textbook which combines a discussion of the relevent fundamental chemical and biological principles of forensic science with their applications to the identification and comparison of physical evidence. Paul Kirk s recent text (7) does offer a comprehensive insight into forensic techniques. However, although the text is an excellent contribution to forensic literature, it does not entirely fulfill the objectives of the course we have described. 

Forensic chemistry is concerned with the application of the principles of chemistry and related sciences to the examination of physical evidence collected at scenes of crimes, e.g. blood stains, paint fragments, bomb residue, clothes, drug samples and hair. The samples could provide conclusive evidence linking a suspect to a crime. Results from chemical analysis are usually conclusive and can be used to support eye witness testimony especially when trials take place many months or even years after the offence. 

Forensic science is the application of science to problems encountered in the courts of law. Forensic laboratories specialize in the analysis, identification, and interpretation of physical evidence. Typically, analyses performed in such laboratories are concerned with determining (1) component identification of a sample, (2) quantitation or purity of sample components, or (3) similarities or differences between two or more samples. With automated instrumentation widely available, highly specific mass spectrometry (MS)-based technologies are now the most valuable tools used to achieve these desired analytical goals. 

A broad definition of the term forensic, according to Webster s New World Dictionary, is suitable for a law court or public debate. With the application of forensic science, one must demonstrate in court that the evidence analyzed has relevance to the case in question. The significance of evidence related to a case is often determined by whether the physical evidence has individual or class characteristic properties. Individual characteristics are properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty. Class characteristics are properties of evidence that can only be associated with a group and never with a single source. (3)... 

Forensic science can be broadly defined as the application of science to law. It is more commonly applied to those laws (criminal and civil) that are enforced by police agencies in the criminal justice system. Specifically, it is the application of the principles of chemistry and related sciences to the examination of physical evidence collected at the scene of a crime, and the interpretation of the results of that examination in a court of law by an expert. 

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