Northern MichiganUniversity

Chemistry 440

Forensic Chemistry

Winter2008

INSTRUCTOR:Dr. J. Ejnik,

Office:NSF 3121email:hone: 227-1069

PREREQUISITE:CH111, CH112, CH 241, CH242, CH 220 or CH 321 and 322, and CH 450 or instructor’s permission.

TEXT:Suzanne Bell, Forensic Chemistry and Richard Saferstein, Criminalistics-An Instruction to Forensic Science

This is a four credit course. The course is designed to introduce students to forensic applications of chemical and biochemical techniques. Techniques include, but are not limited to trace metal analysis, FT-IR analysis of fibers and paint, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/DNA analysis, and controlled substances liquid and gas chromatography. Case studies and a team project will be performed at the end of the semester using several analytical techniques in the student’s area of interest.

COURSE CONTENT:

1. Introduction (Chapter 1, Saferstein and Bell)

2. The Crime Scene (Chapter 2, Saferstein)

3. Physical Evidence (Chapter 3, Saferstein)

4. Statistics, Sampling, and Data Quality (Chapter 2, Bell)

5. Multivariate Statistics, Calibration, and Quality Control (Chapter 3, Bell)

6. Organic Analysis (Chapter 5, Saferstein), Instrumentation (Chapter 5, Bell)

7. Inorganic Analysis (Chapter 6, Saferstein)

8. An Overview of Drugs and Pharmacology (Chapter 6, Bell) Drugs (Chapter 9, Saferstein)

9. Forensic Toxicology (Chapter 10, Saferstein)

10. Forensic Drug Analysis I (Chapter 7, Bell)

11. Drug Analysis II: Basic Drugs (Chapter 8, Bell)

12. Forensic Serology (Chapter 12, Saferstein)

13. DNA: The Indispensable Forensic Science Tool (Chapter 13, Saferstein)

If Time Permits

14. The Chemistry of Combustion and Arson (Chapter 9 and 10, Bell)

Forensic Aspects of Arson and Explosion Investigations (Chapter 11, Saferstein)

15. Fingerprints (Chapter 14, Saferstein)

16. The Chemistry of Polymers (Chapter 13 and 14, Bell)

Hairs, Fibers, and Paint (Chapter 8, Saferstein)

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION:

Students are expected to attend all classes. Participation is encouraged and any absences will detract from the overall quality of the course.

GRADING*:Midterm Exam15%

Final Exam20%

Lab Reports and Notes35%

Assignments20%

Instructor Evaluation10%

Grading Scale90% A

80% B

70% C

60% D

(+ and – grades will be awarded)

*This portion of the course will be worth 66.7% of your final grade.

DISABILITY SERVICES

If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Disability Services Office by: coming into the office at 2001 C. B. Hedgcock; calling 227-1700; or e-mailing . Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state, and University guidelines.

STUDENT PERSONAL PROPERTY POLICY:

It is the responsibility of the student to safeguard his or her personal property, including any personal property that is required for any course. NorthernMichiganUniversity, the Department of Chemistry, faculty and staff, are not responsible for loss or damage to personal property of students.