Analytical Chemistry in Forensics   (316H2)

Academic year:

2024/2025.

Attendance requirements:

303H2 / 303A2

ECTS:

10

Study level:

Study programs:

Teacher:

Dragan D. Manojlović, Ph.D.
full professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Assistants:

Slađana Z. Đurđić, Ph.D.
assistant professor, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd

Jovana D. Jagodić

Hours of instruction:

Weekly: four hours of lectures + four hours of labwork (4+0+4)

Goals:

The goal of the course Analytical Chemistry in Forensics is to help students acquire the relevant knowledge of forensics and forensic practice. Students should be enabled to perform the appropriate forensic analyses and to select the methods of instrumental analysis for some forensic problems found in everyday practice.

Outcome:

Upon completing this course, students will be able to choose the appropriate methods and techniques for analysis of the target forensic parameters and for the forensic analysis itself. In addition to this, students will be able to make necessary forensic conclusions and give expert opinion based on the data obtained using the appropriate instrumental methods.

Teaching methods:

Lectures and experimental exercises.

Extracurricular activities:

—

Coursebooks:

• Radojica Maksimović, Mićo Bošković, Uglješa Todorić: Metode fizike, hemije i fizičke hemije u kriminalistici, Policijska akademija, Beograd 1998.
• Suzanne Bell: Forensic Chemistry, Pearson, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2006.
• Suzanne Bell: Drugs, Poisons and Chemistry, Facts On File, New York, 2009.

Additional material:

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Lectures:

10 points (4 hours a week)

Syllabus:

What is forensics? Historical development and pioneers of forensics. Scientific principles, instruments and equipment. Principles and problems in the analysis of explosives. Analysis of substances from fire sites. Forensic analysis of soil. Analysis of printed documents as evidence and analysis of printing press inks and colors, forgeries. Forensic serology. Forensic DNA analysis. PCR and STR analysis. A DNA chip. Forensic analysis of drugs. Forensic and clinical analysis of alcohols. Basic toxicology in autopsy. Forensic analysis of works of art. Forensic failures and forensic achievements. Introduction to legal practice.

Labwork:

35 points (4 hours a week)

Syllabus:

Acquisition of latent traces of papillary lines. Detection of microtraces. Paraffin test. Detection of gunpowder particles. Chemical traps. Detection of forged banknotes. Identification and analysis of drugs. Serological analysis. Analysis of trace metals and isotope content. PCR analysis. Analysis of a work of art. Forensics in environmental chemistry.

Oral exam:

55 points