Forensic Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications presents a new approach to the study of applications of chemistry to forensic science. It is edited by one of the leading forensic scientists with each chapter written by international experts specializing in their respective fields, and presents the applications of chemistry, especially analytical chemistry, to various topics that make up the forensic scientists toolkit.

Table of Contents

• List of Tables
• List of Illustrations
• About the editor
• Contributors
• Preface
• CHAPTER 1: Drugs of abuse
• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 Law and legislation
• 1.3 Sampling
• 1.4 Specific drug types
• 1.5 Conclusions
• Acknowledgements
• References
• CHAPTER 2: Textiles
• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 A science of reconstruction
• 2.3 Textiles
• 2.4 Natural fibers
• 2.5 Manufactured fibers
• 2.6 Yarns and fabrics
• 2.7 Fiber types
• 2.8 Chemistry
• 2.9 The future
• References
• CHAPTER 3: Paint and coatings examination
• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Paint chemistry
• 3.3 Automotive paint application
• 3.4 Forensic examination of paint
• 3.5 Paint evidence evaluation and expert opinion
• References
• CHAPTER 4: Forensic fire debris analysis
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Process overview
• 4.3 Sample collection
• 4.4 Ignitable liquid classification
• 4.5 Petroleum-based ignitable liquids
• 4.6 Non-petroleum-based ignitable liquids
• 4.7 Sample preparation
• 4.8 Sample analysis and data interpretation
• 4.9 Summary
• References
• CHAPTER 5: Explosives
• 5.1 The nature of an explosion
• 5.2 Physical and chemical properties of explosives
• 5.3 Protocols for the forensic examination of explosives and explosive devices
• 5.4 Chemical analysis of explosives
• 5.5 Ongoing research
• Acknowledgements
• References
• Further reading
• CHAPTER 6: Analysis of glass evidence
• 6.1 Introduction to glass examinations and comparisons
• 6.2 Glass, the material
• 6.3 A brief history of glass examinations
• 6.4 Glass examinations and comparison, standard laboratory practices
• 6.5 Interpretation of glass evidence examinations and comparisons
• 6.6 Case examples
• 6.7 Conclusions
• References
• CHAPTER 7: The forensic comparison of soil and geologic microtraces
• 7.1 Soil and geologic microtraces as trace evidence
• 7.2 Comparison process
• 7.3 Developing expertise
• 7.4 Genesis of soil
• 7.5 Genesis of geologic microtraces
• 7.6 Collecting questioned samples of unknown origin
• 7.7 Collecting soil samples of known origin
• 7.8 Initial comparisons
• 7.9 Color comparison
• 7.10 Texture comparison
• 7.11 Mineral comparison
• 7.12 Modal analysis
• 7.13 Automated instrumental modal analysis
• 7.14 Ecological constituents
• 7.15 Anthropogenic constituents
• 7.16 Reporting comparison results
• 7.17 Future directions and research
• Acknowledgments
• References
• Further reading
• CHAPTER 8: Chemical analysis for the scientific examination of questioned documents
• 8.1 Static approach
• 8.2 Dynamic approach
• 8.3 Ink composition
• 8.4 Examinations
• 8.5 Questioned documents, crime scenes and evidential considerations
• 8.6 Interpreting results and rendering conclusions
• References
• CHAPTER 9: Chemical methods for the detection of latent fingermarks
• 9.1 Introduction
• 9.2 Sources of latent fingermark residue
• 9.3 Chemical processing of latent fingermarks
• 9.4 Experimental considerations for latent fingermark chemistry research
• 9.5 Conclusions and future directions
• Acknowledgements
• References
• Further reading
• CHAPTER 10: Chemical methods in firearms analysis
• 10.1 Introduction
• 10.2 Basic firearms examination
• 10.3 Shooting incident reconstruction
• 10.4 Conclusion
• References
• CHAPTER 11: Forensic microscopy
• 11.1 The microscope as a tool
• 11.2 Motivation
• 11.3 Scale
• 11.4 Finding
• 11.5 Preparing
• 11.6 Looking
• 11.7 Analyzing
• 11.8 Thinking
• 11.9 Thanking
• References
• CHAPTER 12: Chemometrics
• 12.1 Introduction
• 12.2 Chromatograms and spectra as multivariate data
• 12.3 Data preprocessing
• 12.4 Unsupervised pattern recognition
• 12.5 Supervised pattern recognition procedures
• 12.6 Applications of chemometric procedures in forensic science
• 12.7 Conclusions
• Acknowledgements
• References