FSC239Y5 Study Guide - Final Guide: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Gunshot Residue, Forensic Investigators
Document Summary
The applicaion of analyical techniques to idenify and compare evidence: determine the composiion of evidence, involves physical and chemical analyses of materials. Forensic labs perform analyses on a wide range of materials. Compounds can be characterized by the absorpion of light. Inorganic poisons such as mercury, lead and arsenic. Many manufactured products and most natural materials contain small quaniies of elements present in low concentraions <1% These are useful in providing markers to establish source or at least points for comparison. Analyical techniques designed to determine the elemental composiion of materials. Spectrophotometry: method for idenifying substances based on selecive absorbance of diferent wavelengths of light, measurement of the quanity of electromagneic radiaion absorbed as a funcion of frequency, requires the material to be pure. Oten beyond the control of forensic scienists. Chemical substance will absorb selecive frequencies based on composiion. Absorbed frequencies are measurable and used to characterize material. Quaniicaion possible since more substances means more radiaion absorbed.
