Chemical Analysis for Forensic Evidence

The fundamentals of forensic analytical chemistry, i.e. the application of analytical chemistry methods in forensic investigations to assist law enforcement, direct criminal investigations and provide evidence in court, are explained in ten lectures. Each lecture deals with a critical aspect and in discussing these aspects also various forensic expertise areas are introduced where analytical chemistry plays an important role. Students are encouraged to actively think about the topics through questions, surveys and discussion in the class room. The lecturer ensures consistency by linking the topics to the framework as laid down in the Introduction. Background information on associated techniques will be provided by the lecturer for students with limited knowledge in the area.

 

Additionally, students work in small teams (3-4) to read, analyze and discuss a recent paper introducing a novel method or forensic application of an analytical chemistry method. These papers, published in the year the course is given, do not only cover a number of state-of-the-art techniques, they also describe new options for forensic investigation. The students should reflect on the relevance of these new options and on the applicability in forensic practice. The teams present their results in the form of a presentation to their fellow students in three sessions. Each group will perform a self-assessment which will be compared with the assessment by the course coordinator in an evaluation session. 

 

Finally, students work in small teams (3-4 in a different composition compared to the article study) to perform “dry/in silico research” using actual data sets from forensic practice and special software tools (SAILR). Students need to develop their own strategy and analysis to answer the formulated forensic case work question. In three practical sessions the lecturer can provide suggestions but the students are also encouraged to help each other and provide feedback. The teams report their results in the form of a forensic case report very similar to a real NFI report.

 

The course also includes a (voluntary) excursion to the NFI. During this excursion the students will meet with the forensic experts and the analytical chemical equipment and methodology will be demonstrated that feature the lecture material.

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COURSE FACTS

Study Credits

6 ECTS

TYPE

Elective course

CATEGORY

Applied

INSTITUTION

University of Amsterdam

CATALOGUE NO.

5254CAFE6Y

TIME PERIOD(S)

Semester 1, Period 2

COORDINATOR

prof. dr. Arian van Asten

LANGUAGE

English

STAFF

prof. dr. Arian van Asten

PRE-KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

BSc understanding of chemistry and analytical chemistry is recommended. BSc understanding of forensic science is beneficial.

CONTACT

Education Desk FNWI
Science Park 904
B1
020 5257100

servicedesk-esc-science@uva.nl

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • Define forensic analytical chemistry and understand the underlying framework covering the key aspects involved
  • List the main forensic expertise areas where analytical chemistry plays an important role
  • Understand how analytical chemistry is applied in criminal investigations and what information is provided
  • Understand which analytical techniques are used in which type of forensic investigations
  • Describe novel analytical chemistry methods and understand their forensic application
  • Critically evaluate recent scientific papers introducing new forensic analytical chemistry methods
  • Analyze the forensic and scientific potential and challenges of these new methods
  • Form and formulate an independent opinion on the added value of these new methods
  • Suggest options for additional research and development regarding these new methods
  • To present these findings to a peer student group and obtain valuable feedback from a group discussion
  • To study correlation in multivariate chemical profiling datasets
  • Understand the Bayesian framework for evidence evaluation and its application in forensic analytical chemistry
  • Use the SAILR software to assess evidential value from multivariate chemical profiling datasets
  • Write a basic forensic case work report on the basis of forensic analytical chemistry findings

Chemometrics & Statistics teaches you how to distill useful information generated by analytical methods.

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