1st Lecture

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY (Chem2) 1-5:30 PM TTH

DATE: _________________

Forensic science begins at the crime scene. Every forensic investigator has to recognize
physical evidence and properly preserve it for laboratory examinations. Physical evidence is often
necessary to prove that a crime had been committed. However, no amount of sophisticated
laboratory instrumentation or technical expertise can salvage the situation if physical evidence is
not collected properly because destroyed physical evidence, regardless of how big or small, is of
no use and cannot be resurrected anymore.

Forensic chemical evidence is the most sensitive and most susceptible type of evidence
that can be found in a crime scene. This type of forensic evidence is vulnerable to contamination
that destroys its integrity and its evidentiary value, but very dependable in establishing the legal
responsibility of a suspect to the crime he has committed.

FORENSIC - comes from the Latin word "forensis" meaning forum.

FORENSIC SCIENCE - is the use of science and technology to enforce civil and criminal laws.

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY – is the branch of chemistry that deals with the application of
Chemical theories and principles in the solution of legal problems in connection with the
administration of justice- the application of chemistry to criminal investigation. Focuses on the
chemical analysis of substances connected to a crime.

TOXICOLOGY - from the Greek word toxicos- "poisonous" and "logos".

                   it is the study of the symptoms, mechanisms and treatments and 
                     detection of poisoning.

FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY 
- deals with the medical and legal aspects of the harmful effects of chemicals on human
beings.

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE – Physical evidence deals with material objects. It may be material left or
taken from the scene of a crime by the suspect or victim, or it might be an impression left in some
material. It includes not only fingerprints and footprints, but also hair, fibers, blood, arson
accelerants, glass, or almost anything that can be deposited and collected.

OVERVIEW OF FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

Forensic came from the Latin word forensis meaning forum, a place where Romans
conducted public discussion, the word also refers to speaking the truth in public. As a science,
Forensic is an application of scientific principles to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police
agencies in a criminal justice system.
 Dr Edmund Loccard (1877-1966), a medical doctor and a lawyer, is the founding father of
forensic. Being a lawyer, he finds interest for the study of sciences in criminal law.

Professor Matheiu Orfilla uses science when he testified as expert witness to convict Madam
Marie LaFarge for killing his husband, Charles Lafarge, with the use a very strong chemical known as
Arsenic, a toxic type of poison. With the use of “Marsch Test”, Professor Orfilla identified arsenic from
the body of Charles LeFarge. It was in this case that Professor Orfilla was coveted the title father of
modern forensic toxicology.

In the Philippines the practice of forensics started with the passing of Royal Decree #188
during the Spanish rule in the country that was approved by King Philip. Under this rule, the title
“Medicos Titulares” is given to Forensic Physicians to be assigned in the Philippine provinces task to
perform public sanitary duties and Medico-Legal aids.

In the Philippines there are ONLY TWO (2) forensic laboratories being in the NBI and The
PNP-Crime Laboratory with head office in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Development of Scientific Crime Laboratory in the Philippines

Below are the significant events that shaped and developed scientific crime laboratory
procedures in the country:

February 14, 1829- Massacre occurred in Chicago. Then a group of public-minded individuals was
responsible for the establishment of a scientific crime laboratory in that city which today has marked
its place in the historical annals of police science.

March 31, 1876- Creation of “Medicos Titulares” by virtue of Royal Decree No. 188 of Spain.
For every province, a Forensic Physician was assigned to perform public sanitary duties and at the
same time provide medico-legal aids to the administration of justice.

December 15, 1884- Governor General Joaquin Javellar created a committee to study the
mineral waters of Luzon and appointed Anacleto del Rosario as chemist.

September 13, 1887- Establishment of “Laboratorio Municipal de Manila” under the inspection
of the “Direction General de Administracion Civil” and the control of the “ Gobierno de
Provincias”. The function of the laboratory was to make analysis not only of food, water and others
from the standpoint of public health and legal medicine but also of specimen for clinical purposes.

1894- “ Laboratorio Medico-Legal” was created under the dependency of the judicial branch of
the government and the laboratory functioning under the direction of a physician and assisted by a
pharmacist-chemist.

1895- Antonio Luna establish a clinical laboratory where some original works in chemistry were
done. Unfortunately, all prospects of the advancement of the scientific laboratories were paralyzed as
a result of the revolution in 1896.

1901- Actual scientific work began under the initiative of Dean C. Worcester by virtue of Act No.
156approved by the Civil Commission.
July 1, 1901- The Bureau of Government Laboratories was created for the purpose of performing
biological and chemical examinations as well as for the production of vaccines and sera.

March 11, 1915- The Department of Legal Medicine was created pursuant to the resolution of the
Board of Regents. The department took charge of the courses of legal medicines and its branches in
the College of Medicine and Law.

October 14, 1924- Through the passage of Act No. 3043 by the Philippine Legislature, the
same Department of Legal Medicine became a branch of the Department of Justice and at the
same time an integral part of the University of the Philippines.

December 01, 1937- The “Division of Investigation” was created under Commonwealth Act No.
181 two medico-legal officers and a chemist. The Medico-legal Section of the Division of Investigation
started the definite movement towards the creation of scientific crime detection laboratory.

PERSONALITIES IN FORENSIC Studies

1. Edmond Locard - Considered the father of the crime laboratory.

2. Walker Mc Crone - Considered the father of microscopic forensics.
3. Hans Gross - Considered the father of forensic publications.
4. Albert Osborne - The Father of Document Examination.
5. Leone Lattes - The Father of Bloodstain Identification.
6. Alphonse Bertillon - The Father of Anthropometry.
7. Francis Galton - The Father of Fingerprinting.
8. Matheiu Orfilla - The father of Toxicology.
9. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Popularized Scientific Crime Detection methods through his fictional
character Sherlocke Holmes.

THE SCIENCE OF FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

Forensic chemistry as one of the forensic sciences is the application of chemistry to law
enforcement and involves the study of specifics such as crime scene analysis, causes of unnatural
death, detection of illegal drugs in blood and urine and chemical determination of the causes of fire. It
is unique among chemical sciences because its research, practice, and presentation must meet the
needs of both the scientific and the legal communities. As such, result of its examination must
conform to the set standard of science and must be carefully evaluated to ensure the credibility of its
findings. The practice of Forensic Chemistry in crime investigation is proven to be very effective in
reconstructing the sequence of events that constitute the crime being investigated bringing the
perpetrator close to the crime he committed that may later lead to his identification, arrest and
conviction. It is a world wide accepted science that produces conclusive results than can withstand
contentions.
Role of Chemist in Scientific Criminal Investigation

A chemical laboratory serving the police organization is often called upon to solve problems such as:

1. Analysis of any material, the quality of which may give rise to legal proceedings

2. To aid an investigator in order to determine whether a tiny strand of hair found firmly grasped
in the hands of the victim are those with the suspect.

3. To determine whether the blood stain from the butcher’s knife is indeed to that of an animal or
human.

4. To determine whether a document purportedly signed on the alleged date is fictitious or

genuine.

5. Responsible to work such as those involving the use of a spectrography, ultra-violet, infra-red
and x-rays.

6. He must be a capable analyst, experienced physicist, microscopist and an able photographer.

7. His opinion and court testimonies are essential in determining the penal treatment for the
criminal.

Evidence – is a proof of allegation. It is a means sanctioned by law, of ascertaining in a judicial

proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact.

Scientific Evidence – the means, sanctioned by law of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth
respecting a matter of fact wherein scientific knowledge is necessary.

Kinds of Evidence
1.Direct evidence – is simply that which the senses perceive. Any fact to which a witness testify
based on what he saw, heard, smelled, touched or tasted.

2.Indirect or Circumstantial Evidence – it is sufficient to produce conviction if there is more than

one circumstance; the facts from which the inferences are derived are proven. It is a kind of evidence
which seeks to establish a conclusion by inferences from proved facts.

3.Hearsay Evidence – a statement made by a witness on the authority of another and not from his
won personal knowledge or observation. It is inadmissible except with certain well-defined
exceptions.

Some of common exceptions to the rule of exclusion applicable to hearsay evidence are:

1.Declarations against interest

2.Dying declaration
3.Reputation
4.Public record
5.Statements made at prior time
Forms of Scientific Evidence:

1.Real or Autoptic Evidence – that evidence which is addressed to the senses of the court. It is not
limited to that which can be known by the sense of vision but extends to those which are perceived by
the senses of hearing, taste, smell or touch.

2.Testimonial Evidence – evidence where an expert witness may be placed on the witness stand
and answer all questions propounded by both parties in the case.

3.Experimental Evidence – an expert witness may be required to perform certain experiments to

prove a certain matter of fact. The court however, in its own discretion may or may not allow this kind
of evidence.

4.Documentary Evidence – any evidence presented by an expert in court which is relevant to the
subject matter in dispute and not excluded by the rules of court. Such evidences are formal written
report, expert opinion certificates and dispositions.

Classification of Witness:

1.Expert witness – skilled in science, art and trade. He can state what he has perceived and give his
opinion, deductions or conclusions to his perception. He can also testify on things which he has not
perceived by giving his opinions, deductions on conclusions on the statement of facts.

2.Ordinary witness – the rules of court requires this witness to have the following qualifications:
a. He must have the organ and power to perceive.
b. The perception gathered by his organ of sense can be imparted to others.
c. He does not fall in any of the exception provided for by law.

An ordinary witness can only state that his senses have perceived and he’s not skilled on the line he
is testifying, and also cannot testify on things or facts he has not perceived except those provided for
by the law.

Circumstances considered in weighing the testimonies of an expert witness:

1.The degree of learning of the witness

2.The basis and logic of his conclusion
3.The other proof of the case

4 Stages in the Practice of Forensic Chemistry:

1.Collection and Reception of the specimen to be examined

2.The Actual Examination
3.Communication of results of the examination
4.Court appearance