PORTFOLIO IN FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

AND TOXICOLOGY

Submitted by
Lorenz C. Lape

Submitted to
Sharlyn Calipusan

December, 2023
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LABORATORY ACTIVITIES

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 DOCUMENTATION
The attached images below showcases the laboratory activity conducted previously by the Group 1
– BSC3A regarding on the Diphenylamine-Paraffin Test which is used to identify if the person fired a gun or
not. The laboratory examination was successful and as observed, student's hands were burned due to the
casting of the wax.

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 DOCUMENTATION
The attached pictures below showcases the laboratory activity of Group 1 – BSC3A regarding on
Semen and Seminal Stains matters. The examination is a basic analysis of conducting, quantifying, and
identifying presence of semen in a particular object. The laboratory examination was successful and the
students were able to gain knowledge regarding on the matter.

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QUIZZES

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PRELIM EXAM

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MODULE REVIEW QUESTIONS

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 NARRATIVE

As a third-year student of Bachelor of Science in Criminology, the investigation of crime is the

fundamental focus of the field to be able to provide justice to those who are victims of crimes. The subject,
Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology offers quality knowledge regarding on the essential investigation and
examination that is widely utilized. It offers Toxicology which focuses on the study of toxins and toxic
substances due to the fact that these are lethal to human body and were used to crimes such as murder,
homicide, or even suicide; these topics were extremely discussed relating to its definition, effects and how to
counteract the physiological effects. As to the fact that poisons or toxic substances are used in killing of a
person, the study to which the body will be undergone examination is highly necessary to found out if the
body or the person was in a prior intake of such causing the death. Aside from that, toxicology also offers
how to extract, remove or isolate toxic substances. However, due to the limited resources, we are not able
to conduct a laboratory activity regarding on toxicology.

Moreover, as to with regards with our first laboratory activity which is not really on the real laboratory,
but a drawing activity, it was also a good one due to the fact that we are introduced to different machines we
draw; we are able to familiarize different parts of useful machines in examination as well as the microscope
itself and its parts.

Despite the fact that we are not able to conduct a real activity in laboratory, but in second time around,
in the topic of gun firing and bullet discharge, we conducted the Diphenylamine-paraffin test which is an
examination that is crucial to expose if the person has fired a gun or not. This test uses paraffin wax which
will be melted and be dropped on the hands of the alleged shooter; wherein the wax has reagent that from
the moment that it will in contact with the skin of the hand, opening its pores, and if it contains nitrates, the
reagent will have effects resulting a blue specks interpreted as a positive one. However, there are certain
circumstances that the result was due to the influence of oxidizers such as fertilizers, cosmetics, tobacco and
etc that will give false positive result. However, due to limited resources of our faculty, we are not able to
provide a reagent needed for the test making it a mere representation of casting but not a real one. But as to
the activity, it went well despite the burned hands of those who are subjected to such casting.

Furthermore, on our third laboratory activity is such a gross but interesting one, an examination of
Semen. On this activity, members are subjected to conduct a physical test of the Semen; taking its odor,
appearance, color, texture, and feel on such. Well, the stained semen, upon physical test, there is no odor

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but has color, has a texture. However, upon subjected into microscopic examination, we are not able to see
any difference but we just saw a plain fabric. However, on the fresh produced semen, we are able to know
its odor, an alkaline-like odor, and it feels like a sticky glue, the color is dirty white and upon subjected into
microscopic examination, we cannot see any spermatozoa. We do not why there are no spermatozoa but I
think the long exposure to air makes the spermatozoa be dead resulting to its absence under microscopic
examination. But all in all, this laboratory examination successfully done.

Now, in my experience, this subject Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology really a wonderful subject in
Criminology as I really enjoyed all of the laboratory activities conducted. Even though we are not able to
conduct all laboratory activities but those successful activities really gave us knowledge on how we examine
evidences preparing us as future crime investigator. Aside from that, I also want to express my warmest
gratitude to our instructor Ms. Sharlyn Calipusan for her dedication on the subject bringing us the knowledge
that we needed as future crime investigator.

In conclusion, the subject totally gave me knowledge that I could really use in my future endeavors.
I will always keep this acquired knowledge and all learnings I grasped will really be utilized in the future.

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