Chemistry, Third edition

THE SCOPE OF FORENSIC CHEMISTRY 423

Table 23.1Examples of analytical techniques used in forensic analysis

Technique Examples of use

Gas chromatography (GC) (a) Analysis of alcohol in blood
(b) Identification of possible fuels at the scene of an arson.

Infrared spectroscopy (IR) (a) Analysis of alcohol in breath
(b) Identification of unknown solids from a suspected elicit
drug factory.

Liquid chromatography (HPLC) (a) Analysis of suspected doping agents in race horses
(b) Identification of paracetamol in blood.

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (a) Analysis of arsenic in human tissue
(AAS) (b) Identification of alloys used in making bullets.

Gas chromatography with mass (a) Detection of the presence of cocaine metabolites
spectrometry (GC-MS) (breakdown products) in hair
(b) Identification of strychnine in blood.

Ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) (a) Analysis of pen inks in forgery cases
(b) Identification of fibre dyes at the scene of a crime.

Barbituric acid

(parent acid of barbiturate drugs

which are ner ve depressants)

HO

O

O

N

O

N

HN

HO

O

N

N

O

N

H

NH

N

HO

NH

N

H

O

O

O H

2 N

Amphetamine (stimulant)

Lysergic acid diethyamide (LSD) Lysergic acid (the parent acid of LSD)

Morphine (a drug used in pain relief) Str ychnine (a poison)

Fig 23.1Examples of compounds of interest to forensic chemists.