Overview of Forensic Chemistry

MSFS 6040

Section 1

 

Instructor:  Dr. Kim Weaver

Office:  Science Building Room 216

Phone:  865-8047

Email:   weaver@suu.edu

Lecture Schedule:  Tuesday 2:00-4:00 pm

Science Building, Room 130

Office Hours: Daily 9:00-10:00 a.m.  You are also welcome to “drop by”, if I am available, I will be glad to meet with you.  I’m also available by appointment.

           

Objective:  To develop an understanding of the chemical principles that relate to forensic chemistry.  Students that complete this course will be able to apply the principles of chemistry that apply to forensic analyses.

 

Required Texts:  “Forensic Chemistry" by Suzanne Bell 3rd Edition

 

Forensic Investigation of Clandestine Laboratories

 by Donnell R. Christian, Jr.

           

Grading Policy:  Your grade will be based as follows:

                       

                        2 Exams                                              800 points      

                        Quizzes                                                            100 points

Grades will be assigned as follows

 

90-100 %         A

85-90 %           A-

80-85 %           B+

75-80 %           B

70-75 %           B-

65-70%            C+

60-65%            C

           

Tentative Exam Schedule:   

 

October 16 mid Term

                                   

                                    Final: During Finals Week, TBA

 

Exam Policy:  Exams will not be turned back to the students. (Department policy) They will be available during class or by appointment.

Class Content:

You will be expected to understand and demonstrate a level of competence in each of the following

Principle

Text Location (Chapter)

Molecular weights

Supplemental

pH       

Supplemental

Structures and covalent bonding

Supplemental

Strucure and its relationship function

Supplemental

Solubiity-aqueous vs. organic

Supplemental-4

Gas solids and liquids

Supplemental

Mass Spectroscopy

            Charged particles in an electric and magnetic field

            Quadrapole

Supplemental-12

Color

11

Spectroscopy

            Absorption

            Beers Law

5

Light: IR, visible and UV

5

Separations:

4

Gas Chromatography

12

HPLC  Chromatography

12

AA Spectroscopy

Supplemental

Combustions and Explosions

9-10

Toxicology

 

QA/QC

2-3

                                   

Attendance Policy:

 

You are expected to attend class.  As quizzes are given often, absences will lead to missed quizzes which can not be made up for unexcused absences.

 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Support Center in the Sharwan Smith Center Building , office 206 F , Phone (435) 865-8022. The Disability Support Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these services and aids.

 

Honesty Policy

 

Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.  You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about procedures and about what constitutes acceptable on-campus behavior

 

 

Disclaimer: 

Information contained in this syllabus, other than grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

 

 

Lecture Schedule

Week

Chapter

Principles

1

1

 

1

-------

Molecular Weights, pH, Structures

2

 

Stucture, Form vs Function

3

4

Solubility, Separations

4

2-3

QA/QC

5

5

Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography

6

 

HPLC and Mass Spectroscopy

Test #1

7

Clandlestine Labs

Clandlestine Labs

8

Clandlestine Labs

6

Clandlestine Labs

 

Toxicology

9

7-8

Drugs

10

9-10

Combustions and explosions

11

11-2

Colors Colorants, inks and paints

12

13-14

Polymers