Solving Mysteries Through Chemistry by Andrea Zuniga

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andreauachs — 2024-12-14 03:03:43 UTC

Imagine a world were everyone got away with poising people ,well thats exactly what the world looked like in the early 19th century before chemist began developing solutions to this problem .

In 1836 , One of the first major contributions to forenstic chemistry was started by british chemist James Marsh ,He made a test (Marsh test ) for arsenic detection.It was used sucessful in a murder trial , giving a true recognition to toxiology as a field. of its own

That wasnt the beginning

andreauachs — 2024-12-14 03:12:00 UTC

James Marsh might have started something but Mathieu Orfila is known as "the father of toxicology",by making great advancements to the Marsh test by adding a method for detection of blood and semen. He was the first chemist to successfully box different chemicals into categories such as corrosives,narcotics and astringents.

What we dont see

andreauachs — 2024-12-14 03:21:44 UTC

As we have discussed ,chemistry changed the game in forensics in ways many people can not comprehend until you look deeper.Chemistry revolutionized forensics by enabling the identification and analysis of trace evidence at crime scenes .

We require people to have at least a bachelor degree or similar in a natural or physical science and laboratory experiment for forensic chemistry positions . They are expected to follow protocol and maintain their proficiency by continuing education.

what is forensic chemistry ?

andreauachs — 2024-12-14 03:32:51 UTC

Forensic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that helps resolve criminal acts by the study of organic and inorganic compounds present at crime scene.It starts at the scene and continues in the laboratory by three major phases

collection samples/evidence
analyzing the samples
interpreting the results
descriptive report.

Forensic chemistry has develop common procedures they have found useful in getting their answers
spectroscopy ; separating, identifying and quantify the components of unknown substance.
chromatography ; analyzing liquid residue .it is mainly used to identify possible accelerants that demonstrate the intentionality of a fire or to identify inks on paper sample .
microscopy ; used to better observe fabrics or fibers and identify elements that are not observable with the naked eye .
use of luminol ; luminols makes it possible to detect traces of blood.

Technology changed everything

andreauachs — 2024-12-14 04:17:56 UTC

20th century technology allowed a tremendous development in forensics chemistry ,With the advacement in technology it allowed chemist to detect smaller amounts of material more accuraly .

One of the most important advancements in forensic chemistry came in 1955 with the invention of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) by Fred McLafferty and Roland Gohlke.The coupling of a gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometer allowed for the identification of a wide range of substances

The increase in the sensitivity of instrumentation has advanced to the point that minute impurities within compounds can be detected potentially allowing investigators to trace chemicals to a specific batch and lot from a manufacturer.

References

andreauachs — 2024-12-14 04:18:37 UTC

"A Simplified Guide to Forensic Drug Chemistry" (PDF). National Forensic Science Technology Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
^ Browne, Malcolm W. (April 21, 1995). "Terror in Oklahoma: the Science; Experts Search for Debris to Link Bomb to a Suspect". The New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
^ Stern, Wal (November 1995). "Modern Methods of Accelerant Analysis". Southeast Asia Fire and Security. Retrieved October 28, 2015 – via T.C. Forensic.
^ Jump up to:^a ^b "Common Explosives". The National Counterterrorism Center. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2015.

Mary ann cotton

andreauachs — 2024-12-14 04:33:16 UTC

The first famous case that showcase how chemistry could solve a crime , Mary Ann cotton.

She is the first recorded female serial killer in history.

Her comments and the immediate death of her son ,Charles Edward Cotton,raised the suspicions of Thomas Riley,her parishioner .The death of her son was first shown as death by natural causes but were lates analyzed by her sons doctors who found traces of arsenic.

This event got the curiosity of the media who started digging into the life of Mary. It turned out over 20 years she moved several times ,always leaving a trail of death husband and children . All the deaths where due to typhus or another gastrointestinal cause.

The deaths did not attract attention because typhus epidemics were still common at the time, but all of them had preceded the collection of life insurance.

In all, Mary Ann Cotton is alleged to have murdered about 21 people, including three husbands, two lovers, a friend, her mother, and 12 of her 13 children. This first known case when chemistry made it possible to solve a crime is representative of the importance combining scientific and analytical procedures has for forensic chemistry.

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