FACH2702 Chemical Criminalistics

2016

4.5

2 x 50-minute lectures weekly
6 x 3-hour laboratories per semester
1 x 240-minute on-line exercises per semester
6 x 60-minute on-line exercises per semester

1 1 of CHEM1101, CHEM1202, CHEM1601
2 CHEM2712 - Analytical Separations
3 NANO2701 - Structure and Characterisation
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2 and 3)

1 of FACH2001A, FACH2101, FACH3701 has been successfully completed

This topic introduces students to some more specialised principles and practices of forensic science in the Chemical Analysis of Physical Evidence. Physical evidence, which is a very important part of forensic investigations, consists of glass, paint, hair/fibres, paper/ink, minerals/soil/sand and sediment. A large number of analytical techniques and their application to identification, comparisons and provenancing of samples will be covered in depth. The inclusion of a section dealing with Quality Control and Quality Assurance encourages the students to question all aspects of their analysis and, with the aid of classical and Bayesian statistics, present their results with appropriate confidence. Laboratory work focuses on development of sample handling skills, operation of microscopes (binocular, polarising etc), observation and note taking and presentation of results as both client reports and evidence.

The aim of this topic is to introduce students to the use of microscopic techniques and other specialised equipment in the chemical analysis of physical evidence and statistical interpretation. Specifically, this topic aims to develop students who are able to:

1. Understand the appropriate equipment and methods to be used for the analysis of paper/ink, glass, hairs and fibres, minerals/sand/soil
2. Prepare written and oral reports
3. Analyse and characterise physical evidence
4. Establish realistic constraints and limits of detection, limits of reporting for results from their analysis
5. Establish a Null Hypothesis and the conditions for acceptance or rejection
6. Apply their knowledge in order to investigate a range of forensic problems
7. Act ethically as professionals

At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:

1. Identify the major classes of physical evidence
2. Determine the appropriate sampling, handling and analytical regime for consideration of physical evidence
3. Demonstrate understanding of the role of physical evidence in forensic, and other analytical, investigations
4. Explain and apply the methods used for the analysis of glass, paint, hair/fibres, paper/ink, minerals/soil/sand and sediment and their limitations
5. Understand the application of statistics to the analysis of physical evidence
6. Prepare written and oral reports
7. Analyse and characterise materials within a guided laboratory setting
8. Apply their knowledge in order to solve a range of forensic problems
9. Act ethically as professionals