Introduction to

Forensic Chemistry
By: Hapee Venus B. Tenenan, RPh
 Objectives

01
Define Forensic
Chemistry and its
02 03
Enumerate Roles Discuss the
development of
04
Discuss the proper
and Practices of a preservation of
relation to crime forensic chemist crime laboratory
detection Forensic Chemistry
related pieces of
evidence
Forensic Chemistry
• branch of chemistry dealing with the application
of chemical principles in providing solution for
crimes

• provides speedy investigation and in

administration of justice

• results are often regarded as uncontestable and

conclusive piece of evidence with outmost legal
significance
 Scope of Forensic
Chemistry
 chemical analysis of materials that
can be used as evidence
Practice of Forensic Chemistry
Collection /
Reception
of the
Communicatio specimen
n of the results The actual
of examination examination
Collection of specimen to be
examined
 Sufficiency of Samples

 Standard for Comparison

 Maintenance of Individuality

 Labelling and Sealing

 The actual examination
 a record book or logbook should be prepared for data recording

 write down the external appearance of the specimen including the

manner how it is stored

 weigh out the specimen

 if possible, take photographs of the specimen

 all the wrappings should be kept and preserved as it may be

questioned during court trial
 Communication of the results of
examination
 communicated in a written  date of receipt and from
report whom it was received

 detailed description of  Purpose and findings of the

packaging, sealing, and examination
labelling
 conclusion
 Court appearance
provide oral testimony in court trial

forensic chemist is treated as an expert

witness
 Role of
Forensic
Chemist in the
Scientific
Investigation
 Role of a Forensic Scientist
 not usually required for crimes like
speeding or shoplifting
 most crimes do not require a
forensic analysis of physical
evidence
 decision to collect and analyze physical evidence depends on the
seriousness of the crime, police department protocol, the state of the
investigation, laboratory capabilities, and crime scene resources
Responsibilities of a Forensic Chemist
conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis on various types of
specimens

conduct researches related to the cases being examined

testify and give expert opinion in court

give lecture on Forensic Chemistry and Chemical-toxicology to

schools and universities

respond to queries and render expert opinion on matters related

to the use of chemical principles to develop investigative leads
 Role of a Forensic Scientist
 most forensic scientists are chemists
 analysis of potential evidences that can be used to
solve for crimes
 other disciplines and professions that can aid in solving
crime
 engineering, computer science, entomology,
anthropology, pathology, physics, nursing, and
psychology among others
 Role of a Forensic Scientist
 analyze evidence in a crime laboratory and spend little
time at the crime scene
 do not perform crime investigations
 simply analyze the physical evidence
 physical evidence includes all objects collected and
packaged at a crime scene
 evidence is collected by police officers or specially-
trained crime scene investigators
 Go Be
Slowly thoroug
h

GOLDEN Avoid
Take Notes RULES Complicate
in the practice of Forensic d Theories
Chemistry

Consult Use
Others Imaginatio
n
Development of Scientific
Crime Laboratory
 1829
•Massacre case in Chicago 1884
resulted to the formation of • Gov. Gen. Joaquin Javellar
the first scientific crime created committee to study
laboratory mineral waters of Luzon
• used the knowledge in • appointed Anacleto del
forensic ballistics Rosario as chemist

1876 1887
•creation of Medicos Titulares •establishment of Laboratorio
in Spain Municipal de Manila
• a Forensic Physician was • function is to make analysis
assigned in every province on food, water, legal
•perform public sanitary duties medicine, and specimen for
and medico-legal clinical purpose
 1894
• establishment of Laboratorio
Medico-Legal
•under the judicial branch 1896
•directed by a physician •Philippine Revolution
assisted by pharmacist- • paralysis of advancement in
chemist scientific laboratories

1895 1899
•establishment of a clinical •establishment of the first
laboratory by Antonio Luna scientific laboratory along the
• function is to do original banks of Pasig River
works in chemistry • operation supervised by the
U.S. army
 1924
• Department of Legal
1901 Medicine became a branch
• actual scientific work started of the Department of Justice
• initiative of Dean C. through Act No. 3043
Worcester by virtue of Act • became an integral part of
No. 156 approved by Civil the University of the
Commission Philippines

1915
• creation of the Department
of Legal Medicine in the
College of Medicine and
Law
• took charge of the courses of
legal medicines and related
 1937
• establishment of the Division
of Investigation under the
Commonwealth Act No. 181
• equipped with two medico- Present
legal officers and a chemist • Four distinct laboratories in
• started creation of scientific the Philippines performing
crime detection laboratory forensic chemical analyses

1945
• National Bureau of
Investigations (NBI) was
organized with the Division
of Investigation as the
nucleus
• the chemical laboratory of the
Medico-Legal Section
became the Forensic
Chemistry Division
Forensic Chemistry
Laboratories in the
Philippines
 Forensic Chemistry Division of the NBI

 The Criminal Investigation Laboratory of the

Manila Police Department

 The Criminal Investigation and Detection

Laboratory of the Philippine Constabulary

 Manila Investigation Service Laboratory

  Crime Laboratory versus Clinical Laboratory

Crime Laboratory Clinical Laboratory

Head/ Supervisor Medico-Legal Officer Physician

Analyst Forensic Chemist Medical Technologist

Job Description laboratory in the police organization which laboratory in the hospital which analyzes
specializes in analysis of physical evidence blood, urine, and stool among others

Purpose to help in solving crimes to diagnose the presence of diseases

Scientific Evidence
 Evidence
 a proof of allegation
 Scientific Evidence
 evidence based on the principles and techniques of science
 Physical Evidence
 any physical material which is found in connection with an investigation
 can establish identity of the perpetrator of crime
 can establish how the crime was committed to the victim
 most damaging evidence which can break down the hardened criminal
 will not tell a lie unlike testimonial evidence
 Lost of Value of Physical Evidence

 Primary reasons
 improper packing of specimen
 failure to identify specimen
 improper precautions used in transmitting the specimen
 improper preservation
 lack of precaution to prevent tampering of the specimen

 Human error
 investigator is so much occupied with the investigation that he has
no time to take proper care of the specimen
Proper Preservation and Safekeeping of Evidence

 all examined pieces of evidence shall be personally turned over by the

examiner to the evidence custodian

 no examiner shall keep an evidence once examined

 the evidence custodian will record all received evidence as well as

released evidence for court presentation
Proper Preservation and Safekeeping of Evidence

 evidence shall be properly placed in a suitable dry

container and placed inside the concrete evidence room

 firearms shall be kept in a separate evidence room

 hazardous evidence are photographed after examination with the case number
then turned over to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (EODU) for
safekeeping or disposal
 Types of Evidences
2. Indirect /
1. Direct circumstantia 3. Hearsay
 Evidences which l  Statement by a
the senses  Conclusion by witness on the
perceive inferences from authority of
the facts proven another
 Forms of Scientific Evidence
Real or autoptic Evidence
 Evidences addressed to the senses of the court

 Testimonial Evidence
 an expert called on the witness stand to answer all questions
propounded by both parties in the case

 Documentary Evidence
 Written evidence presented by an expert in court which is relevant to
the subject matter in dispute and not excluded by rules of court
Witness
Witness
 a person who testifies in court
 gives information concerning an incident or a
person
 may be a victim, a complainant, an accuser, a
source of information, or an observer of an
incident
 can be an ordinary or an expert witness
 Ordinary Witness
 one who states facts and may not express his opinions or
conclusion
 must have the following qualifications
 must have the organ and power to perceive
 perception gathered by his organ can be imparted to others
 Expert Witness
 provides opinion regarding a question in science, art, or trade where
he is skilled
 includes special knowledge not generally known to men of ordinary
education and experience
 must have the following qualifications
 degree of learning of the witness
 basis and logic of his conclusions
 proof of case
 Ordinary Witness Expert Witness

can only state what his senses perceived state what he has perceived and also give his
opinion, deductions, or conclusions base on his
perception

may not be skilled on the line he is testifying must be skilled in the art, science, or trade he is
testifying

can not testify on things or fact he has not testify on things which he has not seen by
perceived giving his opinions, deductions, or conclusions
on the statement of facts
 Probative Value of Expert Testimony
 depending on the case, the court may or may not be
bounded by the testimony of an expert witness
 if within the general knowledge of the judge, the
decision is not bounded by the testimony
 otherwise, the court must depend on the
examination of an expert
Thank you
Do you have questions?

By: Hapee Venus B. Tenenan, RPh