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Forensic Science Intro Course > 2. Chemical Analysis in Forensic Science > Flashcards

2. Chemical Analysis in Forensic Science Flashcards

1
Q

When may you want to do an elemental analysis?

A

-Poisoning
-Determining time of death
-Elemental analysis of bullets

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2
Q

What does elemental analysis consist of detecting?

A

-Bulk composition
-Trace impurities

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3
Q

What does ppm stand for?

A

-Parts per million
-eg 1g in a tonne is 1ppm

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4
Q

What does ppb stand for?

A

-Parts per billion
-eg 1g in a 1000 tonnes is 1ppb

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5
Q

What are the two methods to elemental analysis using electrons?

A

-Absorption spectroscopy
-Emission spectroscopy

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6
Q

Name the method to elemental analysis using the nucleus

A

Neutron Activation Analysis

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7
Q

What may we use to visualise microscopic objects?

A

-Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM)
-Energy Dispersive Xray Fluorescence (EDX)

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8
Q

What is the benefit of combining SEM and EDX?

A

Allows science to look at very small objects (SEM) and analyse elements in objects (EDX)

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9
Q

Give examples of compounds we may want to analyse?

A

-Fibres
-Dyes
-Athlete’s blood/urine
-For suspected illegal drugs

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10
Q

What may complicate the analysis of compounds?

A

Complex mixtures

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11
Q

Describe the key steps in the analysis of compounds?

A

-Separation (often through chromatography)
-Identification

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12
Q

Give some types of chromatography

A

-Thin layer chromatography
-Gas chromatography
-High Pressure Liquid Chromatography

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13
Q

How does thin layer chromatography differ from gas chromatography and HPLC?

A

TLC - Measures distance moved by components in a fixed time
GC + HPLC - Measures time taken by components to move to the end of the column

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14
Q

Why is gas chromatography and HPLC particularly useful?

A

-Can separate mixture into components
-Can measure amount of components present

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14
Q

How is GC better than HPLC?

A

-Simple
-Inexpensive
-Rapid

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15
Q

How is HPLC better than GC?

A

-Non volatile samples
-Used for samples that are thermally unstable

16
Q

What is the most commonly used form of spectroscopy in forensics?

A

Infrared Spectroscopy

17
Q

At what spectrum is infrared spectroscopy most useful for forensic scientists?

A

At less than 1500 cm-1, as the spectrums are very particular to a certain compound at this point

18
Q

What is used to combine separation and identification

A

Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry

Forensic Science Intro Course (3 decks)

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