Special Topics: Advanced Forensic Chemistry
Fall 2005
03-498-4 Advanced Forensic Chemistry
Prerequisite: 03-225, 03-300 or 03-325
Lecture/Lab Hours: M: 6:30-9:00 PM
Instructor: Dr. Salim M. Diab
Office: 815-740-3855 (St. Francis)
Home: 815-730-8302
Fax: 815-740-4285
Email: sdiab@stfrancis.edu
HomePage: http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/etherman.htm
Supplementary Lecture Notes:
www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/ForensicCoursePPT/lecturenotes.html
Course Description:
This is a special topics course in advanced forensic chemistry. The course will emphasize the theory, procedures, techniques, and applications of forensic chemistry, particularly as they relate to crime investigation and ongoing analysis of evidence obtained after a crime is committed. The nature of physical evidence is emphasized along with the limitations that technology and knowledge impose on its individualization and characterization. In order to merge theory with practice, a number of actual forensic case investigation will be analyzed.
Rationale and Objectives:
This course is designed to provide a basic scientific foundation in the field of forensic chemistry for those students in who are thinking of pursuing a criminal justice, forensic science, biology, or chemistry degree. Without having to major in chemistry, the student is allowed to experience the various analytical and instrumental methods used in investigating crimes.
Required Text:
Diab, S., Lab Manual: Advanced
Forensic Chemistry: Theory and Excercises. USF/Lewis University, 2005.
References:
Baden, M. M.; Hennessee, J. A. Unnatural Death:
Confessions of a Medical Examiner, Ballantine Books,
Brewer, W. E.; Galipo, R. C.; Morgan, S. L.; Habben, K. H. "Confirmation of volatiles by solid-phase microextraction and GC/MS," J. Anal. Toxicol. 1997, 21(4), 286-290.
Dwyer, J.; Kocieniewski, D.;
Murphy, D;
Evans, C. The Casebook of Forensic Detection, John Wiley
& Sons,
Fisher, D. Hard Evidence, Bantam DoubleDay Dell Publ. Group, NY, 1995.
Gerber, S. M., Ed., Chemistry and Crime; From Sherlock
Holmes to Today's Courtroom, American Chemical Society,
Ho, M. H. Analytical Methods in Forensic Chemistry, Ellis Horwood, Ltd.,
Hunt, S. M. Investigation of Serological Evidence: A Manual
for Field Investigators, Charles C. Thomas Publ.
Ltd.,
James, R. E. Laboratory Manual for Criminalistics, Prentice Hall, NY, 1980.
Lowry, W. T. Forensic Toxicology: Controlled Substances and Dangerous Drugs, Plenum Publ. Co., NY, 1979.
Maples, W. R.; Browning, M. Dead Men Do Tell Tales, Bantam
Saferstein, R. Forensic Science Handbook, Vol. I-III, Regents/Prentice Hall, NJ, 1993.
Tebbett, I., Ed., Gas
Chromatography in Forensic Science, Ellis Horwood,
Ltd.,
Terry, I. M.; Robertson, J. C. Instrumental Data for Drug
Analysis, CRC Press,
Wecht, C.; Curriden,
M.; Wecht, B. Grave Secrets, Penguin books USA, Inc.,
Widmark, E. M. P. Principles and Applications of Medico-Legal Alcohol Determination, translated from original 1932 ed.,
Biomedical Publications,
Yinon, J., Ed., Forensic Applications
of Mass Spectrometry (Modern Mass Spectrometry), CRC Press,
WEB LINKS: http://www.stfrancis.edu/ns/diab/Forensic/sources.htm
Available Instruments/Equipment:
Refractometer
Digital Microscopes
Fingerprints Digital Sensor
UV light
UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
FT-IR Spectrophotometer/ ATR
GC-MS Spectrometer
TLC Equipment
Electrophoretic Equipment
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Experiments/Exercises to be Performed:
1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Glass and Soil Analysis
3. Hair, Fiber, and Paint Analysis
4. Fingerprints Analysis
5. DNA Fingerprinting
6. Spectroscopy: UV-VIS, IR, GC-MS
7. Toxicology and Drug Analysis
8. Arson: Analysis of Accelerants
Case Studies (Choose one case
only):
9.
Kidnapped: The Case of Jason Worth
10.
The Case of Lois McArthur
11.
Drug Bust
Assessment Questions:
Do
all questions in back of Lab Manual
Expectations of Students:
1. Attendance is required. A good attendance including the transcription of a good set of class notes will greatly improve the students' chances for achieving a satisfactory grade in this course.
2. Academic integrity must be always preserved. Any violation will be handled according to the guidelines in the College Catalog.
3. A complete and organized Lab. Report is due for all assigned labs.
4. Complete all assessment questions.
5. Review of Literature articles.
6. Final Exam - Presentations of class or research project:
References for research articles:
http://www.lib.jjay.cuny.edu/links/index.cfm?subid=167
Breakdown for grading:
Lab. Reports 50%
Assessment Questions 30%
Presentations 20%
