HSC CHEMISTRY PROGRAM

MODULE:
WEEK

OPTION 3

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

SYLLABUS OUTCOMES

TEACHING STRATEGIES &

ACTIVITIES

Jacaranda
Chemistry 2
Page Reference

The identification of inorganic and

organic substances

The forensic chemist

Chapter 19

1. Use a table to summarise the issues related to

accuracy in analysis and avoiding contamination of
forensic samples.
2. Use flow charts or tables to distinguish between
inorganic and organic compounds.
3. Use structural formulae and models to
3. Explain that there are different classes of distinguish between hydrocarbons , alkanols and
carbon compounds including:
alkanoic acids.
hydrocarbons (b) alkanols (c) alkanoic
4. Examine various soil samples using a
acids , which can be identified by
microscope. Summarise gathered data on the
distinguishing tests
properties of soil that are useful for a forensic
4. Explain that the inorganic chemical properties chemist.
of soils and other materials may be useful
5. Discuss the use of new technologies
evidence
(chromatography/ DNA profiling) to examine case
5. Discuss, using a recent example, how
studies such as the Rainbow Warrior and the attack
progress in analytical chemistry and changes in
on the World Trade Centre.
technology can alter the outcome of a forensic

Sign

The forensic chemist

1. Outline precautions that may be necessary to

ensure accuracy and prevent contamination of
samples for analysis
2. Distinguish between organic and inorganic
compounds

1. 549-554
2. 555
3. 556-558
4. 558- 561
5. 551-552
553-554

investigation

6. Solve problems and use available evidence to

discuss the importance of accuracy in forensic
chemistry
7. Solve problems and use available evidence to
discuss ethical issues that may need to be
addressed during an analytical investigation
8. Identify data, plan and perform first-hand
investigations to determine a sequence of tests
to distinguish between organic and inorganic
compounds

9. Gather and process information from

secondary sources to present information
summarising a series of distinguishing tests
to separate: (a) the groups of hydrocarbons
(b)acids, bases and neutral salts ,in the school
laboratory and in the forensic chemists
laboratory

Analysis of carbohydrates
10. Identify that carbohydrates are
composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
according to the formula : Cx (H2O)y
11. Identify glucose as a monomer and
describe the condensation reactions which
produce: (a) sucrose as an example of a
disaccharide (b) polysaccharides including
glycogen, starch and cellulose

6. Solve problems and discuss issues related to

accuracy in forensic investigations.
7. Discuss the ethical issues that need to be
addressed in forensic investigations
8. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 19.1- Distinguishing
tests for common inorganic and organic
compounds.
9. DATA ANALYSIS 19.7 - Comparison of tests
for selected organic and inorganic substances in
the school laboratory and the forensic
laboratory.

6. 549-550
7. 550-551
8. 593
9. 600-603

Revision Questions - Jacaranda Chemistry 2. Set Revision 19.1

19.1
Pages 561-562
Analysis of carbohydrates
10. Use models or structural formulae to verify that
carbohydrates can be represented by the formula:
Cx (H2O)y
11. Use diagrams and models to identify
monosaccharides, disaccharides and
polysaccharides. Identify glucose as the monomer
in starch and cellulose.

Chapter 19
10. 563
11. 563- 569

12. Describe the chemical difference

between reducing and non-reducing sugars
13. Distinguish between plant and animal
carbohydrates composition in terms of the
presence of: (a)cellulose (b)starch

12. Compare the ring and open chain structure of

glucose and sucrose and explain why only glucose
is a reducing sugar.
13. Use diagrams to distinguish between cellulose,
starch and glycogen
(c)glycogen
14. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 19.2(a)- Testing
14. Choose equipment, plan and perform a
for reducing and non-reducing sugars and
first-hand investigation to carry out a series starch
of distinguishing tests for the carbohydrates: 15. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 19.2(b)- Modelling
(a) reducing and non-reducing sugars
monosaccharides and starch
(b)starch
15. Use available evidence and perform
first-hand investigations using molecular
model kits, computer simulations or other
multimedia resources to compare the
Revision Questions - Jacaranda Chemistry 2. Set
structures of organic compounds including: 19.2
(a) monosaccharides (b) starch

12. 569-571

Analysis of proteins

Chapter 19
16. 577-579

16. Distinguish between protein used for

structural purposes and the uses of proteins as
enzymes
17. Identify the major functional groups in an
amino acid
18. Describe the composition and general
formula for amino acids and explain that
proteins are chains of amino acids
19. Describe the nature of the peptide bond and
explain that proteins can be broken at different
lengths in the chain by choice of enzyme

Analysis of proteins
16. Compare , with the aid of diagrams, structural
protein and globular protein.
17. Use diagrams and models to identify the
functional groups in an amino acid.
18. Use tabulated information to compare the
structures of various amino acids. Identify proteins
as polypeptides.
19. Draw diagrams and construct models of the
peptide bond. Solve problems related to the
cleavage of the protein chain by selected enzymes.

13. 566-569
14. 594
15. 594-595

Revision 19.2
Pages 572-574

17. 574
18. 575-576
19. 579-582

20. Compare the processes of chromatography

and electrophoresis and identify the properties
of mixtures that allow them to be separated by
either of these processes
21. Discuss the role of electrophoresis in
identifying the origins of protein and explain
how this could assist the forensic chemist
22. Perform first-hand investigations using
molecular model kits, computer simulations or
other multimedia resources to present
information which describes the composition
and generalised structure of proteins

20. Use gathered data to compare and contrast

chromatography and electrophoresis. Discuss the
properties of amino acids and proteins that allow
separation by either procedure.
21. Explain how forensic chemists utilise
electrophoresis in investigations
22. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 19.3- Modelling
the structure of proteins

20. 582- 588

Analysis of proteins

Analysis of proteins

Chapter 19

23. Perform a first-hand investigation and gather

first-hand information about a distinguishing
test for proteins

23. Discuss the chemical basis of the Biuret test and

the ninhydrin test for amino acids and proteins.
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 19.4- Distinguishing
24. Perform a first-hand investigation to carry
tests for proteins
out chromatography to separate a mixture of
organic materials such as the pigments in plants 24. Discuss the chromatographic procedure used to
separate leaf pigments.
25. Perform a first-hand investigation and gather
25. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 19.5first-hand information to identify the range of
Chromatography: selecting solvents to extract
solvents that may be used for chromatography
and suggest mixtures that may be separated and pigments from plant leaves.
identified by the use of these solvents
26. Describe the process of paper and gel
electrophoresis of proteins and amino acids
26. Perform a first-hand investigation to carry
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 19.6 - Electrophoresis
out the electrophoresis of an appropriate
simulations and animations
mixture and use available evidence to identify
the characteristics of the mixture which allow it Revision Questions - Jacaranda Chemistry 2. Set
to be separated by this process.
19.3

21. 587-588

22. 595-596

23. 579, 596

24. 583-584
25. 597-598
26. 587- 588
598-599

Revision 19.3
Pages 589-590

Instrumental Methods in Forensic

Chemistry
DNA and forensic chemistry
27. Outline the structure and composition of
DNA
28. Explain why analysis of DNA allows
identification of individuals

29.Describe the process used to analyse

DNA and account for its use in: (a)
identifying relationships between people
(b) identifying individuals
30.Analyse information to discuss the range of
uses of DNA analysis in forensic chemistry and
use available evidence in discussing the issues
associated with its use in terms of the ethics of
maintenance of data banks of DNA

Sensitive analytical techniques

31. Explain what is meant by the destructive
testing of material and explain why this may be
a problem in forensic investigations

32. Identify, outline and assess the value of

the following techniques in the analysis of
small samples: (a) gas-liquid
chromatography (b) high performance liquid

DNA and forensic chemistry

Chapter 20

27. Use photos, models and drawings to analyse the

structure of DNA in terms of its phosphate, sugar
and nitrogen bases.
28. Explain the unique nature of DNA to each
individual in terms of exons and introns.
29. Describe DNA profiling and use diagrams to
summarise the steps in creating a DNA profile.
30. Summarise the uses of DNA profiling and
discuss the ethical issues involved in maintaining
DNA databanks.

27. 605- 608

28. 608
29. 608- 614
30. 614-617

Revision Questions - Jacaranda Chemistry 2. Set Revision 20.1

20.1
Pages 617-618
Sensitive Analytical Techniques
31. Describe examples of destructive and nondestructive forensic testing.

31. 619- 620

32. 620-625

32. Use diagrams of GLC and HPLC equipment to

explain how these techniques can be used to
analyse small samples of forensic materials.

chromatography

Sensitive Analytical techniques

33. Outline how a mass spectrometer operates
and clarify its use for forensic chemists
34. Analyse and present information from
secondary sources to discuss the ways in which
analytical techniques may provide evidence
about samples

Sensitive Analytical Techniques

33. Use a diagram of a mass spectrometer to
explain how it operates. Explain how it can be used
in forensic analysis.
34. Use secondary sources to analyse examples of
how analytical techniques can be used by forensic
chemists.
Revision Questions - Jacaranda Chemistry 2. Set
20.2

Chapter 20
33. 626- 629
34. 629-633
Revision 20.2
Pages 633-637

Emission spectra and forensic chemistry

Emission spectra and forensic chemistry

35. Describe the conditions under which atoms

will emit light
36. Identify that the emission of quanta of
energy as electrons move to lower energy levels
may be detected by humans as a specific colour
37. Explain why excited atoms in the gas phase
emit or absorb only certain wavelengths of light
38. Account for the fact that each element
produces its signature line emission spectrum

35. Demonstrate the emission of light when salts

35. 637- 639
are vapourised in a Bunsen flame. Describe the
conditions that lead to light emission.
36/37 639- 641
36. Identify using diagrams that electrons exist in
quantised energy levels. Explain how particular
frequencies of light are related to quantised energy 38. 641
gaps using Planck's equation.
37. Use Bohr's theory to explain how light photons
can be emitted from excited atoms.
38. Use energy level diagrams to explain the unique
nature of the spectra of each element.

Emission spectra and forensic chemistry

39. Discuss the use of line emission spectra to
identify the presence of elements in chemicals
40. Identify data, choose equipment, plan, and
perform a first-hand investigation using flame
tests and/or spectroscope analysis as appropriate
to identify and gather first-hand information to
describe the emission spectrum of a range of
elements including Na and Hg

41. Process and present information from

secondary sources to analyse and identify
individual elements present in a mixed
emission spectrum and use available
evidence to explain how such information
can assist analysis of the origins of a
mixture
GENERAL REVISION

Emission spectra and forensic chemistry

39. Describe the principle of atomic emission
spectroscopy and explain how it is used to identify
elements in chemicals.

Chapter 20
39. 641- 644

40. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 20.1 - Observing

emission spectra

40. 650 - 651

41. DATA ANALYSIS 20.2 - Identifying elements 41. 644

using emission spectra
652
Revision Questions - Jacaranda Chemistry 2. Set Revision 20.3
20.3
Pages 644-647
CD- MODULE Option 3 - REVISION
QUESTIONS - Chapters 19 and 20

CD Option Module
3 - REVISION
QUESTIONS

Use the supplied set of questions to revise all of

Option Module 3
20 Multiple Choice and 20 open-ended questions in
the style of the HSC are available.
Model answers are available on the CD.