FSCI 3010 – INTRODUCTION TO

SCIENTIFIC METHODS

Robert Green OBE

- Professor
 INTENDED LEARNING
1. This part of the module is intended to
provide students with an introduction
to some of the analytical
equipment and tests you may
encounter.
2. These lectures are intended to help
you to place later studies into context
and will deal with some of the more
commonly associated techniques.
 COURSEWORK DEADLINES

Submission due week number

Markers & (Moderators)
Submission Type

Submission Date
Assessment
Convenor

Weight

Title

Moodle
Green Prof R 20% Online Quiz 1 Green Prof R 13/11/24 15
Quiz

Moodle
Green Prof R 20% Online Quiz 2 Green Prof R 04/12/24 18
Quiz

Moodle Green Prof R /

Green Prof R 60% Online Quiz 3 22/01/25 25
 TEACHING METHODS &
ASSESSMENT
• Delivery methods Pass mark 40%
1. Presentation
2. Case studies On-line quiz 1 20%
• Assessment
On-line quiz 2 20%
1. 100% coursework
2. 3 x Moodle Quiz On-line quiz 3 60%

Large amount of material covered. Past

experience suggests a significant relationship
between attendance & results
 YOUR WHITEBOARD
1. Please keep an eye explanation on? If
on this QR code so, put this in the
(or link). form and I’ll follow
2. You will see it up each week by
embedded all the responding to these
way through your queries.
materials. 8. This is your free
3. We have a big class space to add
and, want to make comments on the
this as inclusive as I module, as we go
possibly can (I know along.
it takes real stamina 9. We have a lot to do
to raise your hand in to get through so
a large class size). I’m hoping that this
4. So, this idea is to gives the
embed a QR link you opportunity to
can access via your answer any queries
mobile device (try and make sure that
this out now). no one gets left
5. The document which behind.
is completely 10. You’ll see that, each
anonymous. week you have
6. It allows you to ask chance to
 MAKE MOST OF THE STUDENT
VOICE
1. Your views are
appreciated, and I will
always respond.
2. Constructive critique can
be incredibly helpful.
3. Please let us keep the
feedback flowing
during the module.
(1) Would like any of these topics developed a little
more? (2) Are there any topics that you haven’t fully
grasped? (3) Can you suggest any areas for
improvement please? Let’s try to do this while
we’re in class. This way – we don’t forget.
 YOUR PRE-READ DENVER
CRIME LAB
I am incredibly fortunate
to have visited the
Denver Crime Lab and
have the Director, Dr
Greg Laberge as a friend.
As our pre-read, this week
let’s take a tour around
the crime lab and have a
go at the quiz. You can
see the link here

This weeks pre-read.

Come prepared to
answer the quiz in class
FIRST UP - GCMS
 GAS CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS
SPECTROMETER
1. A combination instrument used to separate the
components of some mixtures.
2. Most common mixtures are in drug analysis but
also used to interpret fire debris for accelerant
3. The gas chromatograph consists of
a. An injector
b. Column in an oven
c. Detector
GAS CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS
SPECTROMETER
SCANNING ELECTRON
MICROSCOPY
SEM
FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRA RED
ANALYSIS (FTIR) &
MICROSPECTROPHOTOMETRY.
 LET’S CHECK OUR
KNOWLEDGE
1. We discussed a combination instrument
used to separate components in some
mixtures which comprises of an injector,
column and oven and detector. What is
the name of this equipment?
2. What apparatus text absorbance at each
wavelength and used to discriminate
between fibres?
3. The microscope used for comparing side-
by-side, hairs, fibres or paint
1 2 3
GCMS FTIR Comparison
microscope
NEED ANY HELP?

1. You can access

this at any
point.
2. Please engage
with this if you
need any help or
clarification.
3. Use it to feedback
on your module as
we go
FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRA RED ANALYSIS
(FTIR) & MICROSPECTROPHOTOMETRY.
 THIN LAYER
CHROMATOGRAPHY
 THIN LAYER
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMPARISON
MICROSCOPY
 YOUR POST LECTURE
MATERIALS
1. Take a look: The Forensic
Laboratory Handbook
2. You can
access the materials here
3. If you are reading this in
class (scan the QR code)
4. Please come, prepared
to answer the
interactive quizzes

Alerting you to
interactive content,
 HOW DID WE DO
Do you think this has helped you
to:
1.Place further study in context
2.Have a greater understanding
of the practical applications of
forensic science
3.Provide a broad introduction to
forensic & investigative
 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
1. Test firing of bullets and cartridge tests are carried
out in this part of the lab A. Comparison microscope

2. Primary instrument used by firearms and tool mark

B. Trace Evidence Unit
examiner
3. One of main processes used to develop latent
C. The Genetic Analyser
fingermarks?
4. Who is attributed to saying. "... For the microscopic
debris that covers our clothes and bodies are the mute
D. Cyanoacrylate
witnesses, sure and faithful to all our movements and
all our encounters”.
5. Department charged with recovering microscopic
E. Edmond Locard
debris
6. They analyse gunshot discharge residue using this F. Scanning Electron
equipment. Microscope
7. Used to analyse chemical ions contained in explosive G. Firearms and Tool-marks
debris Unit
8. Tests for blood, semen, saliva and body fluids carried H. Fourier Transform Micro-
out in this section. spectrophotometry
9. DNA is detected on an instrument called? I. Forensic Chemistry unit.
10. Bloodstain pattern analysis is conducted by? J. Quality assurance unit
11. Analyses of ignitable liquids carried out in? K. Biology unit
12. Used for structural identification of controlled pure
organic compounds L. Crime scene investigation
 MAKE MOST OF THE STUDENT
VOICE
1. Your views are
appreciated, and I will
always respond.
2. Constructive critique can
be incredibly helpful.
3. Please let us keep the
feedback flowing
during the module.
(1) Would like any of these topics developed a little
more? (2) Are there any topics that you haven’t fully
grasped? (3) Can you suggest any areas for
improvement please? Let’s try to do this while
we’re in class. This way – we don’t forget.
FEEDBACK AS WE GO
ALONG

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