Forensic Chemistry

Aim

Forensic science plays a crucial role in the justice system by providing basic medicinal and technical information for investigations and court bring actions. In this course, an overview of the analytical tools used in a forensic chemistry laboratory will be presented. Students will learn to evaluate the quality and reliability of various available analytical techniques: Students will be able to:

• define the most common illicit drugs, doping agents and injurious substances and how Swedish statutes and decrees regulate the handling of them.
• identify, outline and assess the value of different analytical techniques used for forensic applications.
• describe how different analytical techniques and assays can be used in investigations of narcotics in a variety of materials, formulations and matrices.
• describe how chemical and physical analysis can be used for investigations of physical evidences from a crime scene.
• describe current quality systems in the area, how they are constructed and applied in forensic laboratories.
• overall account for how some selected drugs are produced illegally and how comparative analysis of evidence material is performed.

Content

Introduction in Forensic Science, especially analytical chemistry. The importance of evidence collection at the crime scene and of such evidence in court. Laws and regulations. Applications of analytical chemistry on substances of interest in a crime investigation, especially for various drugs of abuse. Analytical strategies for different types of forensic investigations. Methods for classification and comparative studies on evidence material. Quality control systems.