Description
Chemistry/Forensic Science
Forensic chemistry is a subdiscipline of forensic science, its principles guide the analyses performed in modern forensic laboratories. Forensic chemistry’s roots lie in medico-legal investigation, toxicology and microscopy and have since led the development of modern forensic analytic techniques and practices for use in a variety of applications.
Introduction to Forensic Chemistry is the perfect balance of testing methods and application. Unlike other competing books on the market, coverage is neither too simplistic, nor overly advanced making the book ideal for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses. The book introduces chemical tests, spectroscopy, advanced spectroscopy, and chromatography to students. The second half of the book addresses applications and methods to analyze and interpret controlled substances, trace evidence, questioned documents, firearms, explosives, environmental contaminants, toxins, and other topics. The book looks at innovations in the field over time including the latest development of new discernible chemical reactions, instrumental tools, methods, and more.
Key features:
- Nearly 300 full-color figures illustrating key concepts and over 20 case studies
- Addresses all the essential topics without extraneous or overly advanced coverage
- Includes full pedagogy of chapter objectives, key terms, lab problems, end of chapter questions, and additional readings to emphasize key learning points
- Includes chemical structures and useful spectra as examples
- Fulfils the forensic chemistry course requirement in FEPAC-accredited programs
- Includes a chapter on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) materials
Comprehensive and accessible, without being overly technical, Introduction to Forensic Chemistry will be a welcome addition to the field and an ideal text designed for both the student user and professor in mind.
Course ancillaries including an Instructor’s Manual with Test Bank and chapter PowerPoint® lecture slides are available with qualified course adoption.
Table of Contents
Contents
List of Figures xiii
List of Tables xxi
Acknowledgments xxiii
Author xxv
List of abbreviations xxvii
1 An introduction to forensic chemistry and physical evidence 1
Learning objectives 1
Questions 11
Bibliography 11
2 Chemical tests 15
Learning objectives 15
Colorimetric tests for drugs 16
Chemical tests for poisons 24
Colorimetric tests for explosives 24
Microcrystalline tests for drugs 26
Microcrystalline tests for explosives 26
The future of chemical tests 27
Bibliography 27
3 The microscope 33
Learning objectives 33
Early microscopes 34
Parts of the microscope 35
Light 36
Magnification and resolving power 37
Stereomicroscopy 38
Compound light microscopy 38
Koehler illumination 40
Polarized light microscopy 40
Phase contrast microscopy 42
Fluorescence microscopy 43
Microspectrophotometer 43
Comparison microscopy 43
Scanning electron microscopy 45
Transmission electron microscopy 46
Questions 47
Bibliography 48
4 Light spectroscopy 51
Learning objectives 51
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy 53
Fluorescence spectroscopy 58
Infrared spectroscopy 62
Raman spectroscopy 68
Microspectrophotometry 70
Questions 71
Bibliography 72
5 Advanced spectroscopy 77
Learning objectives 77
Mass spectrometry 79
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy 87
Questions 94
Bibliography 95
6 Chromatography 99
Learning objectives 99
Thin-layer chromatography 101
Paper chromatography 103
Column chromatography 103
High-performance liquid chromatography 105
Ultra-performance liquid chromatography 106
Gas chromatography 106
Other separation methods 112
Questions 112
Bibliography 113
7 Inorganic poisons and contaminants 115
Learning objectives 115
Flame test 117
Emission spectrograph 117
Thin-layer chromatography 118
UV-Vis spectroscopy 118
IR spectroscopy 120
Raman spectroscopy 120
X-ray fluorescence 121
Atomic absorption 122
Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry 123
X-ray crystallography and x-ray diffraction 124
Neutron activation analysis 125
Scanning electron microscopy 125
Questions 125
Bibliography 126
8 Controlled substances 129
Learning objectives 129
Control and scheduling 130
Classes of drugs 130
Stimulants 131
Depressants and antianxiety drugs 134
Hallucinogens 135
Opiates/opioids 138
Anabolic steroids 140
Other drugs abused in sports 141
New psychoactive substances 141
Chemical analysis: Identification and quantitation 142
Questions 148
Bibliography 148
9 Toxicology 153
Learning objectives 153
Questions 163
Bibliography 164
10 Trace evidence 167
Learning objectives 167
Glass 169
Soil 172
Paint 173
Polymers 175
Hair 176
Fibers 178
Other trace materials 184
Questions 185
References 186
Bibliography 186
11 Questioned documents and impression evidence 191
Learning objectives 191
Questioned documents 192
Physical analysis 192
Chemical analysis of inks and paper 193
Impression evidence 199
Questions 206
Bibliography 206
12 Latent print development 209
Learning objectives 209
Questions 218
Bibliography 219
13 Firearms 223
Learning objectives 223
Firearms 224
Handguns 225
Rifles 226
Shotguns 226
Assault rifles 226
Firearms manufacturing methods 226
Explosives and propellants 227
Ballistics 227
Firearms evidence handling and labeling 228
Firearms comparisons 229
Gunshot residue analysis 231
Questions 231
Bibliography 232
14 Fire, arson, and explosives 235
Learning objectives 235
Fire 236
Arson and accelerants 240
Explosives 244
Incendiary weapons 245
Identification of explosives 246
Questions 247
Bibliography 248
15 Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) 251
Learning objectives 251
Weapons of mass destruction 251
Chemical weapons 253
Blood agents 253
Pulmonary/choking agents 254
Blister agents 255
Nerve gases 256
Nettle or urticant agents 257
Incapacitating agents 257
Vomiting agents 258
Riot/tear agents 258
Trends in chemical characteristics of chemical warfare agents 259
Toxic industrial chemicals 259
Detection and identification methods 259
Biological weapons 262
History of biological weapons use 262
Modern threat classification 263
Recent biological weapons cases and ongoing threats 264
Bacteria 265
Fungi 265
Viruses 266
Protein toxins 267
Small molecule toxins 271
Methods of detection and identification 272
Nuclear weapons 273
Nuclear chemistry reactions and types of radiation 274
Radioactive decay and half-life 275
History of nuclear chemistry and radioactivity 276
Modes of radioactive decay 277
Isotopes and nuclear reactions 278
Uses of radionuclides in bombs 278
Radioactivity units 279
Detection and identification of radioactive material 280
Cases of accidental poisoning with radiological material 281
"Dirty bombs" and accessibility of radioactive material 282
Treatment of radiation poisoning 282
Use of radioactive isotopes in nuclear power plants 283
Identification of a nuclear bomb detonation versus a nuclear power plant meltdown 284
Dual use research: Impacts and publication 284
Emerging threats and designer weapons 286
Questions 287
Bibliography 288
16 Environmental forensics 295
Learning objectives 295
Pesticides 297
Herbicides 300
Fungicides 301
Antimicrobials 302
In the environment 304
Examples of detection, identification, and quantification of herbicides and pesticides 306
Questions 308
Bibliography 309
Index 311
