Chemistry Forensic Study Cards

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY

FORENSIC CHEMISTRY SUMMARY NOTES

|Ensuring accuracy and contamination of samples for analysis – 1a and 1A |Ensuring accuracy and contamination of samples for analysis – 1a and |
| |1A (continued) |
|Caution must be taken by scene investigators with regard to their tools, | |
|clothing and evidence storage facilities, since debris can lead to false |All scientific analyses must be accurate and reproducible, hence all |
|positive results if it has been contaminated by dirty tools or gloves. |instruments used to examine samples must be well calibrated and |
| |measurements of standards and controls used to ensure accuracy of |
|Discuss the following precautions: |sample analysed. |
|Wearing overalls, hair covering, masks, shoe covers to prevent contamination. | |
|Samples placed in sterile sealable bags/containers using sterile forceps. |Example: Urine analysis in drug testing: |
|Laboratories used for forensic examination must be sterile, with absolutely | |
|minimal chance of contamination. |Analytical tools/techniques used must demonstrate excellence. |
|A lack of sample security and poor laboratory practices can reduce reliable |All instrumentation must be calibrated and monitored consistently to |
|evidence to “reasonable doubt” |ensure