The job of the forensic chemist is to identify materials and trace their

origins.

Outline precautions that may be necessary to ensure accuracy and prevent

contamination of samples for analysis.

There are THREE main sources of contamination:

Addition of extraneous material: during the process of collection, handling and
transporting of materials, it may be contaminated before it reaches the laboratory.
Samples MUST be sealed

unclean laboratory: -old laboratory with flaking paint,

-Corroding fittings and instruments,
-Dust releasing floor or walls,
-Free flows of dirty air through laboratory.
These can all lead to contamination of samples and invalidate the analysis.

Careless analysts: -not wearing suitable protective clothing (gloves, coat, face
mask)
These can result in the analyst shredding contaminants such as dust, dandruff and
sweat into the sample producing erroneous results.

Accuracy is important because: - It could convict an innocent person

- Result in a person or company having to pay
massive fines.

Distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds.

Organic Inorganic
Produced by living things Produced by non-living things.
compounds of carbon (except CO and May not contain these compounds
CO2)
Has all the alkenes and alkanols
almost always contain hydrogen as well
as carbon
other common elements include oxygen,
nitrogen, halogens (form salts) and
sulphur.

Simplest method to distinguish them:

Heat a sample of the compound in air.
If the compound burns or reacts with air or decomposes to leave residue :ORGANIC
If there is residue: INORGANIC
 Explain that there are different classes of carbon compounds including:
- Hydrocarbons
- Alkanols
- Alkanoic acids
which can be identified by distinguishing tests.

Hydrocarbons: Alkanes and alkenes can be distinguished by the bromine water test.
They react differently, as the alkene decolourises the bromine water. (Bromine water
is the diagnostic test for alkanes and alkenes)

Alkanols: React with sodium metal but not with sodium hydrogencarbonate.

Alkanoic acids: react with sodium hydrogencarbonate solution to form carbon

dioxide gas (detected by bubbling gas through limewater).
react with alkanols to form esters or with reactive metals
(such as calcium) to form salts.

Explain that the inorganic chemical properties of soils and other materials may
be useful evidence.

SOIL: is a complex mixture of inorganic materials (such as clay, silt, sand and
gravel), decaying organic matter (called humus), water, air and living organisms.

Solids in soil are 5% organic and 95% inorganic.

Forensic chemists use this to test the: -colour

-pH
-texture
-appearance in water
These tests will usually identify the source of the soil.

Discuss, using a recent example, how progress in analytical chemistry and

changes in technology can alter the outcome of a forensic investigation.

The Azaria Chamberlain case (1980) is probably one of the most important in
recent forensic history in Australia. It was claimed by the mother (Lindy) of
Azaria that her daughter had been taken from their tent at Ayers Rock by a dingo.
Inspection of the Chamberlains car located a stain under the passenger side
dashboard.

Forensic tests performed were found to be positive for the presence of blood. In
conjunction with other evidence Lindy Chamberlain was sentenced to jail. It was
revealed later however that the tests performed on the sample by the forensic
scientist were only presumptive (initial) tests and further positive identification
was not carried out. It was realised that the presumptive test also showed positive
for other substances that could have been present in the outback dust. It was also
claimed by the Chamberlains that if the stain was blood it could have been from
an injured person whom they had recently helped.
At this time DNA testing was not available and no samples were kept. The advent
of DNA testing would have positively identified if the sample was blood and also
could have identified the individual whom the sample had originated from.

PRACTICALS:

Solve problems and use available evidence to discuss the importance of

accuracy in forensic chemistry

Solve problems and use available evidence to discuss ethical issues that may
need to be addressed during an analytical investigation

Identify data, plan and perform first-hand investigations to determine a

sequence of tests to distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds

Gather and process information from secondary sources to present

information summarising a series of distinguishing tests to separate:
-the groups of hydrocarbons
-acids, bases and neutral salts in the school laboratory and in the forensic
chemists laboratory