Forensic Chemistry is the process of analyzing matter and substances that may relate to a crime scene investigation. Forensic Chemistry has been around for a lot longer than many people think. It dates back to B.C. and was known to be used by early Egyptians, ancient Greeks, and Romans. These ancient civilizations did not have quite the same technology that we have today, but they did examine deadly poisons such as Hemlock and arsenic found in bodies of victims.

The main purpose of criminal investigations is to connect a person to the crime scene and eventually find out who the guilty criminal is. Throughout the investigating process they search for as many clues, big or small, in which they may be able to connect the guilty suspect to the crime. Through the collecting of this crucial evidence, Forensic scientists can establish a good idea of the events that took place during the crime, and how the crime was committed.

Once the evidence is collected from the scene it is examined by a skillfully trained team of scientists. One of these scientists is a Forensic serologist. Forensic serologist deal with body fluid, such as blood, semen, saliva, sweat, and fecal matter, and are especially capable with blood testing. Even the smallest traces of blood found at a crime scene can be analyzed by a serologist, and since blood never changes due to any occurrences, such as temperature, humidity or atmospheric pressure, it can always be tested. A mixture of Luminol, Oxidizing agent, and alkaline agent is used to find blood samples at a crime scene. When this mixture is placed in contact with the blood it illuminates making the blood glow. This process is also used to discover samples of other body fluids. In cases of rape the same process is used to find the suspects semen on the victims clothing or skin. They can identify a person’s semen because the composition of it varies from person to person.

Another type of scientist is Forensic Pathologist. The Pathologist analyzes the remains of dead bodies in order to find out how and when the victim died through an autopsy. By examining the body they can tell how the victim was killed. By looking at the skin and internal organs they can tell if the victim died from cases such as a drug overdose, or poisoning. Signs of this are cocaine bags found in stomach, circular arm scars, and hand lacerations By looking at the body they can tell if the death was caused by blunt force, or physical trauma, such as fractures, abrasions, lacerations, and embolisms. Also by looking at the body, they can tell if death was caused by an environmental accident, such as drowning, carbon-monoxide poisoning, hypothermia, burns from fire, electrocution, or random gas.

Another critical person that aids forensics is Ballistic Expert. The Ballistic expert deals with the functioning of firearms. They examine bullets, bullet fragments, cartridge clips, firearms, and related evidence found at scene of crime or in possession of suspect to identify make and caliber of weapon. They also examine bullets and firearms under microscopes in order to match the bullet with its firearm. This may help them to identify the criminal better by knowing what kind of weapon was used. They can also discover facts about the path of the projectile that may be crucial. Examining signs such as projectile angle, and distance will give a better understanding of the position of the shooter.

Forensic chemists play a big part in examining and analyzing the evidence that was collected from the scene. They rarely investigate at the actual crime scene, and do most of their work inside the lab. They analyze all evidence such as hair samples, paint chips, glass fragments, bloodstains, and more. They also identify fibers from clothing and carpets in order to connect a suspect to the crime. These chemists support everyone else by running test on all of the evidence given to them. They are also discovering crucial facts about the crime and the suspects by doing these tests.

DNA examinations are very effective in helping to identify any organism. Identifying a person by DNA is much more than matching the blood types. An accumulating chain of evidence must be developed in order to assure the right criminal is caught. DNA is found in many parts of the body including: Blood, semen, skin cells, tissue, organs, muscle, brain cells, bone, teeth, hair, saliva, mucus, perspiration, fingernails, urine, and more. The reason why DNA printing is so helpful in identifying the culprit is because everyone’s DNA sequence is different and unique to each individual.

Toxicology is mainly about testing for poisons or other drugs, but is also concerned by any foreign chemical found in the body. There are three types of Toxicologists: Descriptive toxicologists, mechanistic toxicologists, and regulatory toxicologists. All of these toxicologists examine a wide range of materials such as blood stains, urine, and blood gases for traces of poisons or drugs. Toxins are any kind of chemical that poses a life threatening effect on a living organism, which gives this science the name toxicology. Poisons are a kind of toxin, so they are also grouped in with toxicology. Most toxins tend to be harder to identify and may cause irreparable damage to a person, whereas poisons have more noticeable symptoms and may be able to be treated.

Accidents involving intoxicated drivers kill 15,000 people per year in the United States alone. Because of this, a Breathalyzer kit is standard equipment in most police squad cars or state patrol vehicles. When the police suspects that a driver is intoxicated they will conduct a Breathalyzer test. This test is used to estimate the blood alcohol content of the driver. The driver may seem sober but if he does not pass the test he is still against the law.

There are some complications in forensic chemistry that may delay the process of collecting evidence that is crucial to the case and reduce the chances of catching the criminal. One is that the fingerprints from the body might get washed away. Also the body has to be fresh and not refrigerated. The natural shedding of skin destroys latent prints left on the skin. Among many other complications is that some viruses and diseases can be transferred from the dead bodies.

Forensic Chemistry is one of the most crucial parts in crime solving investigations. Without the hard work from the forensic experts many criminals may never have been caught, and innocent people will not be accused of crimes that they did not commit.

Bibliography

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