Forensic Chemistry

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY INTRODUCTION Over the past century, forensic chemistry has become an essential part of almost every criminal investigation. A forensic chemist is a scientist who analyses physical evidence as found on a victim or at the scene of a crime. These scientists work in the field of criminalistics, which deals with analysis, comparison, identification, and interpretation of physical evidence to prove the connections to or existence of a crime. Evidence is examined right down …

…Forensic chemistry is always improving as new advances in technology take place. Research in this field is focused upon finding new ways of analysing collected evidence that are cost effective and give fast and precise results. ABSTRACT This report outlines the significance chemistry has in criminal investigations. Three major areas of forensic chemistry are outlined including: Trace Analysis, Toxicology and Serology. Methods of analysis such as Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectroscopy and Electrophoresis are also summarised.