Week 3

Learning Objectives:
1.Discuss what is Forensic Chemistry;
2. Recognize the role of Forensic Chemistry as
well as the Forensic Chemist/Forensic Chemical
Officer in Scientific Investigation; and
3.Compare Forensic Chemistry to the other
discipline of Forensic Science.
Definition of Forensic Chemistry 
Forensic chemistry is defined as that branch of
chemistry which deals with the application of
chemical principles in the solution of problems
that arise in connection with the administration of
justice. It is chemistry applied in the elucidation of
legal problems.
It is an interdisciplinary field of Chemistry tasked to
solve cases that can only be explained or resolved
by applying analytical method of investigation and
instrumentation with chemistry as the main core
of discussion.
• Is a branch of chemistry that deals with
the application of chemical knowledge and
principles in the solution of legal problems
in connection with the administration of
justice.
• Practice of Forensic Chemistry in the Philippines
• In August 1937, the Manila Police Department appointed
Miss Marcelina Villanos as Detective-Chemist detailed at
Department of Legal Medicine of University of the
Philippines. She performs laboratory examinations for both
Manila Police Department and Department of Justice.
• In December 1937, by virtue of Commonwealth Act 181,
the Division of Investigation, now known as the National
Bureau of Investigation were created with medico-legal
section they employed two medico-legal officers and a
chemist.
• In October 1939, Philippine Constabulary established its
own Medico- legal Section with Chemistry Laboratory for
the purpose of assisting criminal investigation in their own
jurisdiction.
 
• In October 1939, Philippine Constabulary
established its own Medico- legal Section with
Chemistry Laboratory for the purpose of
assisting criminal investigation in their own
jurisdiction.
Current Forensic Chemistry Laboratories in the
Philippines;
• Chemistry Division, PNP Crime Laboratory
• Forensic Chemistry Division, NBI
• Laboratory Service, PDEA
• Scope of Forensic Chemistry
•  Forensic chemistry gains its recognition as the central
discipline in understanding other branches of criminalistics
such as forensic ballistics, questioned documents, legal
medicines, forensic serology, dactyloscopy, forensic
photography, trace analysis and forensic DNA.
The following are the major scope of Forensic chemistry and
physical identification division of the PNP Crime Laboratory
• 1. Dangerous drugs
• 2. Explosives examination
• 3. Gunshot residue (paraffin casting, distance determination
and firearms examination)
• 4. Forensic Toxicology
• 5. Blood Alcohol and drug test
• 6. Examination of fake products for unfair trade
competition
• 7. Arson investigation
• 8. Number restoration (macro etching)
• 9. Bullet trajectory
• 10. Ultraviolet examination
• 11. Tool marks and other marks
• 12. Blood and other body fluids
• 13. Trace evidence
Generally, this subject aims to describe the
different practices of Criminalistics based on
chemical principles involved in the examination of
physical evidences.
PRACTICE OF FORENSIC CHEMISTRY – The work of
forensic chemist is divided into four stages, namely
(1) collection or reception of the specimen to be
examined;
(2) the actual examination;
(3) the communication of results of the
examination; and
(4) court appearance.
• Collection or reception of the specimen to be examined.
• It is most important that whenever possible the chemist should
personally collect all the specimens necessary for the
examination. Unless this is done, something essential to the
elucidation of the problem may be omitted and in some cases
questions regarding the collection and transit of the specimen are
raised during trial. Furthermore, the collection, preservation, and
transportation of specimens are very essential in the investigation
of a crime. If the chemist will not personally collect the specimen it
is possible that the articles may be taken, handled, or packed in
such a way as to render them almost useless for purposes of
examination. This, however, is not always practicable and, even
when practicable, the necessary is not appreciated. The expert
must therefore depend upon the intelligent assistance of the
investigators who must, in the performance of this delicate task,
be guided by the following principles:
a) SUFFICIENCY OF SAMPLES: Police are usually incline to be
niggardly in taking samples probably because they have an unqualified
belief in the magic of such analytical instruments as the microscope and
spectrograph. This mistake should be avoided. If an error is to be
committed, let it be in the side of generosity.
 b) STANDARD FOR COMPARISON: If the evidence in question is
found in the presence of foreign substance, a sample of the foreign
substance must be submitted for analysis. For example, if blood is found
on a linoleum, a sample of the unstained linoleum must be submitted
together with stained portion. In cases of adulteration or unfair
competition, a genuine sample must be submitted for comparison. In the
examination of hair, textile fibers, soil, etc., samples to be used as
standards for comparison must always be submitted.
• b) STANDARD FOR COMPARISON: If the
evidence in question is found in the presence of
foreign substance, a sample of the foreign
substance must be submitted for analysis. For
example, if blood is found on a linoleum, a
sample of the unstained linoleum must be
submitted together with stained portion. In cases
of adulteration or unfair competition, a genuine
sample must be submitted for comparison. In
the examination of hair, textile fibers, soil, etc.,
samples to be used as standards for comparison
must always be submitted
c) MAINTENANCE OF INDIVIDUALITY:
Each evidence must be collected and
preserved as a separate sample. There
must be no mixing or intermingling of
unknown with known.
 
• d) LABELLING AND SEALING: Evidence will have
no value in court in spite of the good report of the
expert if the specimen cannot be identified and
possibility of tampering excluded. Each sample
must be labeled. Small fragments should be
enclosed in specimen boxes and the boxes are then
sealed, preferably with sealing wax and thumb mark
imprinted on the sealing wax while still warm.
Labels may be placed on the boxes although it is
recommended that string tags must be used
whenever possible. The label should include
information concerning the nature and source of the
sample, date and time of collection, case number, if
any and name of the person collecting the sample.
• II. The actual examination of the specimen:
 The first step in the examination of an article is to
scrutinize it carefully and write down in the laboratory
notebook a complete description of its external
appearance including the manner in which it is
secured and particulars of the sealing. If possible, take
a photograph of the specimen. The specimen is now
opened and any inner wrappings should be described.
Finally, a detailed description of the appearance of the
contents of the package should be given. All wrappers
should be kept and sealed, preserved since questions
concerning them may be raised in court during trial.
 The second step in the examination is to measure or
weigh the object and all measurements and weights
should be entered in the laboratory notebook. The
specimen is then divided into several portions, one to be
kept in its condition for further reference and production
in court. If the specimen is a court exhibit, written
permission from the court is necessary before its
condition may be changed.
 The third step is the chemical, microscopical or physical
testing, whichever is indicated.
 Whenever a chemical analysis is made care should be
taken that all the apparatus used are clean, reagents are
pure and that all precautions against possibility of
contamination are taken. Blank and control experiments
should be made whenever possible. At every stage of
the analysis full notes should be entered in the
notebook.
 After the examination is finished, the remaining portion
of the article or the article itself should be sealed
securely and either kept for production in court or
handed over to the requesting party. It is recommended
that the chemist should retain the articles he examined
and should himself produce them in the court.
examination:
The results of the examination conducted will be
communicated to the requesting party in the form of
a written report which must include an enumeration
of the articles received for examination with detailed
description of the packing, sealing and labeling, date
of receipt and from whom received, the purpose of
the examination, the findings and conclusion. The
findings should include a brief but sufficient record of
all the significant facts noted during the examination.
It is not, as a rule, necessary to mention how the
analysis has been conducted. Reference to some
well-known and established methods may be allowed
• If a quantitative analysis was made it is not
necessary to report the results to more than one
decimal point except in cases of poisoning where
the results may be given to tenths or even
hundredths of milligram. The conclusion should
be stated definitely and without ambiguity. All
opinions should be supported by the evidence on
which they are based. As a rule, the report must
be concise and clear, but efficiency should not be
sacrificed for brevity. If photomicrographs or
photographs of the specimen have been made,
copies should be attached to the report stating
clearly on the photographs what they represent.
 IV. Court appearance:
The written report of the chemist is usually supplemented a later
date by oral evidence if the case is brought to court or fiscal’s
office. Since the oral evidence may be given weeks, months or
even years after the work has been made and the written report, it
is not only permissible but necessary that chemist should refresh
his memory by reference to his laboratory notebook before
presenting himself in court. It is not sufficient that these should be
consulted for a few minutes immediately before going to court or
while waiting to be called but they should be studied well
beforehand. The chemist should have a thorough knowledge of his
subject and of the collateral matters relating to it. He must
anticipate and prepare himself to answer likely questions having
reference to the case and should be prepared to state the degree
of accuracy attained. He should also know the weakness, if any,
inherent in the methods and employed and be ready to meet
adverse criticism directed against them.  
 
• All answers to questions and all opinion should be definite and
free from ambiguity and should be given in simple language.
Lengthy explanation should be avoided as this may weaken
the evidence and raise points that can be used by the
opposite party to cast doubts upon it. The witness must be
composed and as much as possible avoid being irritated by
up braiding of the opposite counsel. He must be swayed by
passion. He should avoid allowing his interest in a case or
belief in the correctness of his own conclusions to make him
an advocate or partisan. He appears in order to present any
facts he may have discovered, to interpret these and other
facts to help the court with his opinions and his evidence
should be given without bias to either side. As Brouardel
said, “If the law has made you a witness, remain a man of
Science. You have no victim to avenge, no guilty or
innocent person to ruin or save. You must bear witness
within the limits of Science.”
• ROLE OF FORENSIC CHEMIST/FORENSIC CHEMICAL OFFICER IN SCIENTIFIC
INVESTIGATION
A Forensic Chemist/Forensic Chemical Officer is responsible for applying the
natural and applied sciences to the investigation of crimes by learning to perform
laboratory examinations of physical evidences submitted to the Crime Laboratory.
• Methods used by a Forensic Chemist/Forensic Chemical Officer
• To examined, evaluate and identify physical evidence, the forensic
chemist/forensic chemical officer utilizes the following:
• chemicals
• microscopes
• chromatographic technique
– Gas Chromatography (GC)
– High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
– Liquid Chromatography
– Paper Chromatography
– Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
– Reversed-phase
• spectroscopic methods
• Infrare)ltraviolet and Visible (UV-Vis)
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
• Methods used by a Forensic Chemist/Forensic Chemical Officer
• To examined, evaluate and identify physical evidence, the forensic
chemist/forensic chemical officer utilizes the following:
• chemicals
• microscopes
• chromatographic technique
– Gas Chromatography (GC)
– High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
– Liquid Chromatography
– Paper Chromatography
– Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
– Reversed-phase
• spectroscopic methods
• Infrared Ultraviolet and Visible (UV-Vis)
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
•  Comparative Technique
Two General Type of examination in Forensic
Chemistry
1. Qualitative examination – identification of
substance present in the sample.
2. Quantitative examination – determining the
percent purity of the substance.