MODULE 1

Branch of chemistry, which deals with the

application of chemical principles in the
solution of problems that arise in
connection with the administration of
justice. It is chemistry applied in the
elucidation of legal problems. Concerned
with the proper collection, preservation and
transportation of evidence.

The word “forensic” is derived from the Latin

word forensic, which means “of the forum,” or
speaking the truth in public.

Demorates, an ancient philosopher widely considered as the

82 B.C.E father of modern science, was probably the first to study
poisons. The use of arsenic, a very poisonous metallic
element, was so widespread during the ancient time.

18th In 1752, the first actual chemical test for poison was
undertaken during the Blandy trial.
Century

James Marsh, a British chemist, invented the Marsh test for

19th arsenic. It was also during this period when studies on
bullet “fingerprinting” began, enabling the identification of
weapons used in crimes and the individuals who used them.

Jean Servais Stas (1813-1891) conducted studies on various

methods employed to detect certain types of vegetable poisons
in the body. Stas is best known for his work in determining
the atomic weights of the elements, and served as the leading
chemist in Belgium during his time.

Christian Friedrich Schönbein who discovered the first

reliable method for identifying human blood in 1863, and
Dutch chemist Izaak van Deen, who developed another test for
J. Marsh, J. S. Stas C.F. Schonbein
the presence of blood at about the same time.
 LOCARD’S EXCHANGE PRINCIPLE

Edmond Locard (1877-1966) who also made

several significant contributions to the new
science of fingerprinting.
Locard succeeded in setting up the first
police laboratory in Lyon, France in 1910.

He is best known for the Locard’s exchange

principle, which states that “every contact leaves
a trace,” or that every contact between two objects
results in an exchange of traces between them.

ORFILA: FATHER OF MODERN FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY

Sir Francis Galton (1822 – 1911) established

the first publication of the first scientific
book on fingerprinting in 1892.
Galton developed a system wherein a precise
pattern of a set of prints could be used to
identify its owner

Galton’s scheme uses a categorization based on

three main pattern types: loops, whorls, and
arches. A person’s fingerprint “identity”
consists of a sequence of these patterns.

The practice of forensics began with the

passage of the Royal Decree No. 188 by
King Philip during the Spanish rule in
the country. Under the decree, forensic
physicians, called “Medicos Titulares,”
were assigned to the Philippine
provinces to perform public sanitary and
medico-legal duties.
 There are several forensic laboratories
in the country, including those from the
five district offices, two satellite
crime laboratories in Valenzuela City
and Marikina City, regional and
provincial offices of the Philippine
National Police (PNP); the University of
the Philippines-Philippine General
Hospital (UP-PGH) in Manila; the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA) in Quezon City; and the National
Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila
and its regional and provincial offices.

A crime laboratory (or “crime lab” for short) is a scientific

laboratory that uses forensic science for the purpose of examining
evidence from criminal cases. It refers to a laboratory where highly
trained technical personnel render various related services.

The PNP Crime Laboratory consists of uniformed and non-uniformed

personnel with high level of expertise and the ability to provide
scientific investigation services through fieldwork, crime scene
operations, forensic laboratory services, as well as criminalistics
training and research. Allied services include autopsy, drug tests,
DNA examinations, examination of questioned documents, fingerprinting
services, histopathological examinations, macro-etching examinations,
semen determination and so on.

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Is a proof of allegation. It is a mean sanction
by law, of ascertaining in judicial proceedings
the truth respecting a matter of fact.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
Maybe define as the mean sanction by law, of
ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth
respecting a matter of fact wherein scientific
knowledge is necessary. Evidence bases on or
conforming to the principles and techniques of
science.
REAL OR AUTOPTIC
Evidence which is addressed to the senses of
court. It is not limited to that which can
be known by the sense of vision but extends
to those that are perceived by the senses of
hearing, taste, smell or touch.

TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE
it is a solemn declaration made orally by a
witness under oath in response to
interrogation by a lawyer.

EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE
an expert witness may be required to perform
certain experiments to prove a certain
matter of fact.

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
any written evidence presented by an expert in
court which is relevant to subject matter in
dispute and not excluded the rule of court.

Are articles and materials that found in

connection with an investigation and which aid
in establishing the identity of the perpetrator
of the circumstances under which the crime was
committed or which in general assist in the
prosecution of the criminal. Encompasses any
or all objects that can establish that crime
has been committed or can provide a link
between a crime and its victims or a crime and
its perpetrator.
MOVABLE
Evidence which is addressed to the senses
of court. It is not limited to that which
can be known by the sense of vision but
extends to those that are perceived by
the senses of hearing, taste, smell or
touch.
FIX
are those that cannot be moved and/or
impossible to collect in its entirety for
delivery in the laboratory and
subsequently presentation in court.

It includes the chemical side of criminal investigation.

It includes the analysis of any material the quality of

which may give rise to legal proceeding.

It is not limited to purely chemical questions involved

in legal proceedings.

It has invaded other branches of forensic sciences

notably legal medicine, ballistics, questioned
documents, dactyloscopy, and photography.

The forensic chemist plays an important role in the

scientific criminal investigation. He may be called
upon to aid an investigation in:

Determining whether or not a place/location

is a clandestine laboratory
Examination of marked bills/ suspects
during entrapment (extortion case)

Taking Paraffin Test

Four STAGES OF WORK OF A FORENSIC CHEMIST

Collection and reception of specimen

for laboratory examination
a. sufficiency of sample
b. standard for comparison
c. maintenance of individuality
d. labelling and scaling;

The actual examination of specimen

Communication of the result

of examine

Court Appearance

Improper packing of specimen

Failure of identification of specimen

Improper, precaution use in transmitting the specimen

 GO SLOWLY CONSULT OTHERS

BE THOROUGH USE IMAGINATION

TAKE NOTE AVOID COMPLICATED THEORIES

ORDINARY WITNESS
State facts and may not express his opinions or conclusions. He
may testify to impressions of common experiments such as the
speed of a vehicle, whether a voice was that of a man, woman, or
child. Beyond this he is closely limited.

EXPERT WITNESS
One who possess a special skill, be it in
art, trade or science or one who has special
knowledge in waters not generally known to
men or ordinary education and experiment. A
person skilled in some art, trade or science
to the extent that he possesses information
not within the common knowledge of man.

EYE WITNESS
Person who saw the fatal act.

He must have the organ and power to perceive

The perception gathered by his organ can be

imparted to others.

He does not fall in any of the exception

provided for Sec. 26, Rule 123, Rule of Court
 An ordinary witness can only state what is senses has
perceived while an expert witness may state he has
perceived and also give his opinions, deduction or
conclusion to his perception.

An ordinary witness may not be skilled on the line he

his testifying while an expert witness be skilled in
the art, science or trade he is testifying.

. An ordinary witness cannot testify on things or facts

he has not perceived except those provided for any law
while an expert witness must testify on things which
has seen giving his opinions, deduction or conclusion
on the statements of facts.

Person capable of applying knowledge or theory to

practice. Person by practice

Perfect person. The forensic chemist.

These are known specimens to compare with the questioned needed to
aid in establishing a suspect’s relationship to the crime under
investigation.
Standard specimen can get in:

Forensic Chemistry laboratories have been organized by the

government agencies because they foresaw their potential
application to criminal investigation. Modern technologies have
provided forensic scientists with many new skills and techniques
to meet challenges accompanying their increase participation in
the criminal justice system. The National Bureau of Investigation
and the Philippine National Police Laboratories has created for
purposes of assisting in the investigation and enforcement of
criminal law through their forensic science expertise and
technical support.

A forensic chemist is a professional chemist

who analyzes evidence from the crime scene
and derives a conclusion base on a test
undertaken on such evidence.
It is the task of the forensic chemist to
identify and characterized the evidence as part
of the overall crime solving process. Given that
they handle the evidence collected from the
crime scene, they are often summoned to explain
in trial court what was found and how they
arrived at their conclusions.
 They can provide technical explanation that can assist final
judgement as well as analyze the evidence. However, they cannot
determine the final verdict. Versatility and patience are oft-
cited qualities of a forensic chemist.

Be able to spend hours rigorously applying

analytical techniques to evidence;
Clearly and concisely answer
challenges to his findings and

Possess moral integrity

Education

Training
Experience

Refers to a written record of all the individual who

maintained unbroken control over certain items of evidence
collected from the crime scene. This establishes the proof
of the items of evidence collected at the crime scene are
the same items being presented in a court of law, hence
validating their origin.
The so-called “chain of custody” aims to establish several
things:

The date and time at which the evidence was handled;

Those who had contact with the evidence;
What changes, if any, were made with the evidence;
and
The circumstances under which the evidence was
handled.

Certainly, it is very important to

properly tag and label of items of
evidence. A crime scene investigator
or evidence recovery technician must
be able to tag and level/mark items
of evidence so that these can be
easily identified at a later date.
The tagging, labeling and marking of
the evidence ensures the proper
identification of the evidence and
ensures the credibility of the
evidence collected.
Directions: Submitted via FB Group trough the following format:

Student ID Number:
Student’s Name:
Permanent Address:
Year/Section:

Instructor:
School:

REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. What is Forensic Chemistry?

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2. Where can we get the Standard Specimen and what is its
purpose?

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3. What is the important role or the main function of a forensic

chemist?

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4. What is the important contribution of Mathieu Joseph
Bonaventure Orfila to field of forensic chemistry?

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5. Upon knowing the background and history of forensic chemistry,
what can you say about our forensic team here in our country?
What are your suggestions?

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 EXPERIMENT
Identifying NO.1
Physical Evidence and Observing the Chain of Custody