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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: CHE2033 Module Title: FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
Module Provider: Chemical Sciences Short Name: CHE2033
Level: HE2 Module Co-ordinator: AMODIO C Dr (Chem Science)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Semester Two
Assessment Pattern

Coursework comprising extended individual reports of the group exercise  30%

Formal Examination 60% [1.5 hours]

Assessed practical reports 10%

Module Overview
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Module Aims
  • To consider the historic development of forensic chemistry and its linkage to advances in analytical technique
  • To introduce the chemistry underlying the use of trace evidence
  • To give an understanding of the physical methods used in characterising such evidence
  • To introduce students to the underlying science, safety and forensic aspects of fire, explosions and firearms
  • To consider the information available from forensic computing and photography
  • To introduce the chemistry of drugs and poisons, and their detection
  • To outline the forensic toxicology of the above areas.
  • To develop team working in approaching a forensic investigation

     
Learning Outcomes

 

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

 

 

  •  

    show knowledge of the application of chemical and physical techniques in examining trace evidence

     

     

  • discuss the applications of a range of optical and digital imaging techniques

     

  • give an account of the forensic application of a number of instrumental techniques

     

  • give an account of the science and forensic aspects of fires, explosions and firearms

     

  • appreciate scientific, forensic and safety aspects of dealing with energetic compounds and firearms

     

  • give an account of drugs and forensic toxicology

     

  • understand the role played by forensic toxicology in investigations

     

  • develop a team working approach for solution of a multi-facetted problem

     
Module Content

RCTS

 

 

 

 

1-2

 

 

The historical development of analytical techniques for forensic chemistry (e.g. As detection and quantification). The death of Napoleon.

 

 

RCTS

 

 

3-4

 

 

Physical evidence.

 

 

The Chemistry of glasses.

 

 

The Chemistry of paints.

 

 

Forensic examination of each of the above (emphasising physical methods and their bases in science).

 

 

RCTS

 

 

5-10

 

 

Fire

 

 

The chemistry of fire.  Fire prevention and fire fighting.  Arson.

 

 

Flash points, propagation, products.

 

 

Investigating the scene of a fire.   Physical evidence.

 

 

Recovery and examination of evidence.

 

 

Analysis of chemical residues.

 

 

CA

 

 

11-18

 

 

Explosions and their investigation.

 

 

Nature and types of explosives and explosions; Explosives technology - “Energetic compounds”.

 

 

Forensic examination of explosions.

 

 

Recovery and identification of explosion residues.

 

 

MB/CA

 

 

19-24

 

 

Firearms and firearm evidence.

 

 

Forensic examination of firearms, bullets and cartridges.

 

 

Chemistry of ammunition. Collection and analysis of residues.

 

 

SMOH

 

 

2527

 

 

Introduction to drugs and pharmacology

 

 

DS

 

 

28-33

 

 

Introduction to pharmacokinetics and the analytical investigation of drug action and instrumental methods in forensic toxicology.

 

 
Methods of Teaching/Learning

Formal lectures

 

 

Group/team working (3x 1 hour workshops and associated work concerning a suspicious death, with final production of a draft Witness Statement concerning the associated Forensic Evidence).

 

 

2 days of Practical Exercises

 

 
Selected Texts/Journals

Recommended:

 

 

Bell , S (2006): Forensic Chemistry, Prentice Hall

 

 

White P.D. (Ed) (2004): Crime Scene to Court: The essentials of forensic science, RSC, 2nd Edition.

 

 

Suggested:

 

 

Saferstein, R.: Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science, 7th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2001.

 

 

Akhavan, J. (1998): The Chemistry of Explosives, RSC

 

 

de Haan, J. (1992): Kirk’s Fire Investigation, Wiley
Last Updated
21 April 2011