Analytical Techniques in Forensic Science

Analytical Techniques in Forensic Science looks at the interface between analytical chemistry and, primarily, trace evidence in forensic science. Each section includes an introduction to the area followed by laboratory techniques grouped by shared operating principles. Incorporating specific theory, application to forensic analytes, interpretation, forensic specific developments and case studies, coverage of each technique is clear and comprehensive. Techniques covered include UV-Vis and vibrational spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and gas and liquid chromatography. The applications include evidence types such as fibres, paint, drugs and explosives. Carefully structured throughout, each chapter carries a section on interpretation and includes relevant case examples where appropriate. In order to develop the discussion more fully focus is placed on data collection, subsequent analysis, what information has been obtained and what this means in the context of a case. This process can be markedly different in the forensic arena compared to other disciplines and dependent on the case severity and/or budget. Further, the developments section in each chapter will explore novel and future applications for analytical techniques highlighting the problem solving nature of much of forensic analysis; 'this is the state/amount of material we have, this is the information we want to get from it, which technique can we use or do we need to develop a new method?'.

List of contents

List of Contributors xvii
 
Preface xix
 
Acknowledgements xxi
 
Part I Preparing for Analysis 1
 
1 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
Sue Jickells, Rosalind Wolstenholme and Shari Forbes
 
1.1 Forensic Science 3
 
1.2 The Forensic Process 6
 
1.2.1 Forensic Principles and the Crime Scene 6
 
1.2.2 Preparatory Issues in Laboratory Analysis 11
 
1.2.3 Interpretation of Forensic Evidence 13
 
1.2.3.1 The Expert Witness and Interpretation 14
 
1.2.3.2 Evidential Value 15
 
1.2.3.3 Statistical Interpretation 18
 
1.2.3.4 Bayesian Statistics 20
 
1.3 Judicial Systems 22
 
1.3.1 Criminal vs. Civil Law 22
 
1.3.2 Adversarial vs. Inquisitorial System 24
 
1.3.3 Rules of Evidence 25
 
1.3.3.1 Admissibility of Evidence 25
 
1.3.4 Types of Evidence 26
 
1.3.5 Opinion and Expert Testimony 28
 
1.3.5.1 Admissibility of Scientific and Technical Evidence 28
 
1.4 The Role of Analytical Chemistry in Forensic Science 30
 
1.4.1 Techniques Used for Chemical Analysis 31
 
References 32
 
2 Analytical Methodology and Experimental Design 35
Florian Wulfert and Rosalind Wolstenholme
 
2.1 Scientific Method 35
 
2.2 What DoWe Mean by Analysis? 36
 
2.3 The Stages of Analysis 36
 
2.3.1 Quantification 37
 
2.3.1.1 External Standards 37
 
2.3.1.2 Internal Standards 38
 
2.3.1.3 Standard Addition 38
 
2.4 Analysis Development 39
 
2.4.1 Error Estimation 39
 
2.4.2 Quality Assurance and Quality Control 40
 
2.4.3 Method Development and Experimental Designs 41
 
2.4.4 Selecting Critical Variables with Factorial Designs 42
 
2.4.4.1 Categorical Variables 43
 
2.4.4.2 Reduced Designs 44
 
2.4.4.3 Final Practical Experimental Considerations 44
 
2.4.4.4 Deciding on Significance 44
 
2.4.4.5 Interpretation 45
 
2.4.5 Modelling the Significant Variables Using Response Surface Designs 46
 
2.4.5.1 Sparse Response Surface Designs 48
 
2.4.5.2 Analysing Response Surface Models 48
 
2.4.5.3 Validation 49
 
2.4.5.4 Optimisation 49
 
3 Presumptive Testing 51
Rosalind Wolstenholme and Shari Forbes
 
3.1 Introduction 51
 
3.2 Drugs 52
 
3.2.1 Drugs Seizure Sampling 52
 
3.2.2 Major Drug Classes 52
 
3.2.2.1 Marijuana 52
 
3.2.2.2 Opioids, Cocaine, and Amphetamines 53
 
3.2.2.3 Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines 53
 
3.2.2.4 LSD 53
 
3.2.2.5 New Psychoactive Substances 55
 
3.2.3 Presumptive Tests for Drugs 56
 
3.2.3.1 Colour Tests 56
 
3.2.3.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 56
 
3.2.3.3 Microcrystal Tests 56
 
3.3 Firearms Discharge Residue 57
 
3.3.1 Firearms Discharge Residue Sampling 57
 
3.3.2 Firearms Discharge Residue Presumptive Tests 58
 
3.4 Explosives 59
 
3.4.1 Explosive Residue Sampling 60
 
3.4.2 Explosive Residue Presumptive Tests 60
 
3.4.2.1 Colour Tests 60
 
3.4.2.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 61
 
3.4.2.3 Portable Instruments 61
 
3.5 Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) 61
 
3.5.1 Breath Alcohol Testing 61
 
3.5.1.1 Electronic Devices 62
 
3.5.1.2 Chemical Test Devices 63
 
3.5.2 Saliva-Based Testing 63
 
3.6 Ignitable Liquid Residues 64
 
3.7 Non-Chemical Presumptive Tests 65
 
3.7.1 Electronic Detectors 65
 
3.7.1.1 Electronic Detectors for Fire Investigations 65
 
3.7.1.2 Electronic Detectors

About the author

ROSALIND WOLSTENHOLME, BSC, MSC, PhD, is a senior lecturer in analytical science in the Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, UK. SUE JICKELLS, BSC, MSC, PhD, is a retired analytical chemist, formerly at the University of East Anglia and King's College London. SHARI FORBES, BSC, PhD, is a forensic scientist and researcher with the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, University of Quebec Trois-Rivières, Canada.

Summary

Analytical Techniques in Forensic Science looks at the interface between analytical chemistry and, primarily, trace evidence in forensic science. Each section includes an introduction to the area followed by laboratory techniques grouped by shared operating principles. Incorporating specific theory, application to forensic analytes, interpretation, forensic specific developments and case studies, coverage of each technique is clear and comprehensive. Techniques covered include UV-Vis and vibrational spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and gas and liquid chromatography. The applications include evidence types such as fibres, paint, drugs and explosives. Carefully structured throughout, each chapter carries a section on interpretation and includes relevant case examples where appropriate. In order to develop the discussion more fully focus is placed on data collection, subsequent analysis, what information has been obtained and what this means in the context of a case. This process can be markedly different in the forensic arena compared to other disciplines and dependent on the case severity and/or budget. Further, the developments section in each chapter will explore novel and future applications for analytical techniques highlighting the problem solving nature of much of forensic analysis; 'this is the state/amount of material we have, this is the information we want to get from it, which technique can we use or do we need to develop a new method?'.

Product details

• Authors: Shari Forbes, Su Jickells, Sue Jickells, R Wolstenholme, Rosalin Wolstenholme, Rosalind Wolstenholme, Rosalind (Sheffield Hallam Universit Wolstenholme, Rosalind Jickells Wolstenholme
• Assisted by: Shari Forbes (Editor), Forbes Shari (Editor), Su Jickells (Editor), Sue Jickells (Editor), Jickells Sue (Editor), Rosalind Wolstenholme (Editor), Wolstenholme Rosalind (Editor)
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2020
• EAN: 9781119978282
• ISBN: 978-1-119-97828-2
• No. of pages: 464
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Chemistry > Theoretical chemistry; Chemie, Analytische Chemie, Forensik, Life Sciences, Biowissenschaften, chemistry, Forensic Science, Analytische Chemie / Forensik, Forensics