FCT MODULE 1

• Basic Concepts of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology:

  • Forensic chemistry uses equipment in a chemistry lab to identify substances from a crime scene or criminal investigation
  • Forensic toxicology finds the identity and amount of toxins or poisons in biological samples
• Questioned Samples:

  • Materials collected as or from items of evidence with a known location but unknown originating source
  • Can be any biological sample, including liquid blood, saliva, or semen deposited on any surface
• Known or Control Samples:

  • Well-known forensic samples used to assure analyses are properly performed
  • Fully known to the forensic community with respect to composition, identification, source, and type
• Questioned Documents:

  • Any document that may be disputed based on source, origin, or authenticity
  • Contains linguistic and/or numerical markings placed using handwriting, typing, printing, or other means
• Evidence:

  • Proof sanctioned by law to ascertain the truth in a judicial proceeding
  • Testimonial evidence provided by witnesses, while physical evidence refers to tangible objects relevant to a crime
• Three Major Classifications of Evidence:

  • Direct Evidence: directly establishes the main fact of an issue based on senses
  • Indirect/Circumstantial Evidence: seeks to establish a fact by proving another fact
  • Real Evidence: tangible objects introduced at a trial to prove or disprove a fact
• Hearsay:

  • Any statement made outside of court offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted
  • Second-hand information, often unreliable without the original source for cross-examination
• Scientific Evidence:

  • Data or information derived from scientific methods and analysis
  • Includes results from laboratory tests, forensic analysis, expert opinions based on scientific principles
• Forensic Evidence:

  • Criminal evidence acquired through scientific methods like ballistics, blood tests, and DNA tests
  • Application of science within legal proceedings
• Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA):

  • Building block of all organic matter in living beings
  • Unique to individuals, important for identity markers
• Fingerprint Evidence:

  • Most common type of forensic evidence
  • Three types: latent, patent, and plastic fingerprints
• Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA):

  • Analysis of bloodstains at a crime scene to recreate actions causing bloodshed
• Scientific Methods:

  1. Question
  2. Hypothesis
  3. Experiment
  4. Observation
  5. Analysis
  6. Conclusion
• History of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology:

  • Application of scientific ideas to legal issues
  • Forensic science dates back to Ancient Greece
• Beginnings of Forensic Science:

  • Started with the religious process of mummification
  • Ancient Egyptians examined internal organs for religious purposes
• How Forensic Science Reached the Modern Day:

  • Integration of modern science with forensics in the 1800s
  • Use of microscopes, toxicological testing, and fingerprint analysis
• Forensic Chemistry:

  • Analytic study of substances to identify them correctly
  • Analyzes physical and chemical properties of materials
• Forensic Toxicology:

  • Detection and interpretation of drugs and toxic compounds in bodily tissues and fluids
  • Conducted in a manner defensible in court
• Early Beginning of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology:

  • Traced back to the use of poisons by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans
  • Early cases involved chemical analysis of compounds in the 18th century
• Forensic Scientists:

  • Collaborate closely with law enforcement professionals
  • Several disciplines include criminalistics, DNA profiling, toxicology, and trace evidence
• Historical Figures:

  • Democritus: Father of Modern Science, studied poisons
  • James Marsh: Invented the Marsh test for arsenic
  • Edmond Locard: Established the first police laboratory and Locard's Exchange Principle
• Locard's Exchange Principle:

  • When two objects come into contact with each other, something is exchanged and taken away by both objects
  • Basis of the transfer and recovery of all scientific evidence
• Francis Henry Galton:

  • Undertook the first definitive study of fingerprints
  • Developed a methodology of classifying fingerprints for filing
  • Defined three main pattern types: loops, whorls, and arches
• Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila:

  • Father of Modern Forensic Toxicology
  • Conducted experiments on the effects of poisons
  • Made chemical analysis a normal aspect of forensic medicine
  • Created a systematic approach for detecting poisonous substances in the human body
• Rudolph August Witthaus Jr.:

  • American physician, chemist, and toxicologist
  • Top authority on poisons in the United States
  • Acted as a toxicological expert in several important capital murder cases
• 7 Basic Principles in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology:

  1. Locard's Exchange Principle

  2. Law of Progressive Change

  3. Principle of Comparison

  4. Law of Individuality

  5. Principle of Analysis

  6. Law of Probability

  7. Law of Circumstantial Facts
• History of Forensic Science in the Philippines:

  • Forensic science in the Philippines evolved over the years
  • Milestones include the establishment of medico-legal services and the introduction of fingerprinting
  • Advancements in forensic technology and techniques were gradually integrated into the criminal justice system
• Timeline of beginning and development of Forensic Chemistry in the Philippines:

  • 1876: Creation of "Medicos Titulares" position for Forensic Physicians
  • 1884: Appointment of Anacleto del Rosario as chemist to study mineral waters
  • 1887: Establishment of "Laboratorio Municipal de Manila" for analysis
  • 1910: Adoption of fingerprint system for inmate identification
  • 1946: Establishment of complete fingerprint files in the Division of Investigation
  • 1972: Establishment of the Crime Laboratory in the Philippines