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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Chemistry
Case Study: Evidence in the Air
1.1 Welcome
1.2 Chemistry, Crime, and the Global Society
1.3 Physical Evidence: Matter and Its Forms
1.4 The Periodic Table Evidence Analysis: Thin-Layer Chromatography
1.5 Learning the Language of Chemistry
1.6 The Most Important Skill of a Forensic Scientist: Observation
1.7 Critical Thinking and the Crime Scene: The Scientific Method
1.8 Case Study Finale: Evidence in the Air

Chapter 2 Evidence Collection and Preservation
Case Study: A Muddy Murder
2.1 Preserving Evidence: Reactions, Properties, and Changes
2.2 Physical Evidence Collection: Mass, Weight, and Units
2.3 Mathematics of Unit Conversions
2.4 Errors and Estimates in Laboratory Measurements: Signifi cant Figures
2.5 Mathematics of Signifi cant Figure Calculations
2.6 Experimental Results: Accuracy and Precision
2.7 How to Analyze Evidence: Density Measurements
2.8 Mathematics of Density Measurements
2.9 How to Analyze Glass and Soil: Using Physical Properties
2.10 Case Study Finale: A Muddy Murder

Chapter 3 Atomic Clues
Case Study: Her Name was Nikole
3.1 Origins of the Atomic Theory: Ancient Greek Philosophers
3.2 Foundations of a Modern Atomic Theory
3.3 Dalton’s Atomic Theory
3.4 Atomic Structure: Subatomic Particles
3.5 Nature’s Detectives: Isotopes
3.6 Atomic Mass: Isotopic Abundance and the Periodic Table
3.7 Mathematics of Isotopic Abundance and Atomic Mass
3.8 Atomic Structure: Electrons and Emission Spectra
3.9 Mathematics of Light
3.10 Atomic Structure: Electron Orbitals
3.11 Electron Configurations
Evidence Analysis: Scanning
Electron Microscopy
3.12 Case Study Finale: Her Name was Nikole

Chapter 4 Chemical Evidence
Case Study: Mind Games
4.1 Chemical Nature of Evidence: Regions of the Periodic Table
4.2 Types of Compounds: Covalent Compounds
4.3 Types of Compounds: Ionic Compounds
4.4 Common Names and Diatomic Elements
4.5 Basics of Chemical Reactions
4.6 Balancing Chemical Equations
4.7 Mathematics of Chemical Reactions: Mole Calculations
4.8 Mathematics of Chemical Reactions: Stoichiometry Calculations
4.9 Types of Reactions
4.10 Mathematics of Chemical Reactions: Limiting Reactants and Theoretical Yields
Evidence Analysis: Spectrophotometry
4.11 Case Study Finale: Mind Games

Chapter 5 Chemistry of Bonding:
Structure and Function of Drug Molecules
Case Study: Was it murder?
5.1 Nature of Covalent Bonds
5.2 Lewis Structures of Ionic Compounds
5.3 Lewis Structures of Covalent Compounds
5.4 Resonance Structures
5.5 VSEPR Theory
5.6 Polarity of Bonds and Molecules
5.7 Molecular Geometry of Drugs
5.8 Drug Receptors and Brain Chemistry
Evidence Analysis: Immunoassay Methods
5.9 Case Study Finale: Was it murder?

Chapter 6 Properties of Solutions I: Aqueous Solutions
Case Study: An Aqueous Apocalypse
6.1 Aqueous Solutions
6.2 Solution Properties
6.3 Net Ionic Reactions
6.4 Solubility
6.5 Mathematics of Solutions: Concentration Calculations
6.6 Acid Chemistry
6.7 Base Chemistry
6.8 Neutralization Reactions
6.9 The pH Scale and Buffers
6.10 Mathematics of Solutions: Calculating pH
6.11 Case Study Finale: An Aqueous Apocalypse

Chapter 7 Properties of Solutions II: Intermolecular Forces and Colligative Properties
Case Study: Something for the Pain
7.1 Intermolecular Forces and Surface Tension
7.2 Types of Intermolecular Forces
7.3 Mixed Intermolecular Forces
7.4 The Process of Dissolution
7.5 Rate of Dissolving Soluble Compounds
7.6 Colligative Properties: Boiling Point of Solutions
7.7 Mathematics of Boiling Point Elevation
7.8 Colligative Properties: Freezing Point of Solutions
7.9 Mathematics of Freezing Point Depression
7.10 Colligative Properties: Osmosis
7.11 Mathematics of Osmotic Pressure
Evidence Analysis: HPLC
7.12 Case Study Finale: Something for the Pain

Chapter 8 Drug Chemistry
Case Study: Administering Murder
8.1 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
8.2 Alkanes
8.3 Alkenes and Alkynes
8.4 Branched Isomers
8.5 Cyclic Compounds
8.6 Ethers, Ketones, and Esters
8.7 Amines
8.8 Alcohols, Aldehydes, and Carboxylic Acids
8.9 How to Extract Organic Compounds: Solubility and Acid–Base Properties
Evidence Analysis: Infrared Spectroscopy
8.10 Case Study Finale: Administering Murder 2

Chapter 9 Chemistry of Fire and Heat
Case Study: “False and Unreliable”
9.1 The Chemistry of Fire
9.2 Combustion Reactions
9.3 Redox Reactions
9.4 Thermochemistry of Fire
9.5 Heat Capacity and Phase Changes
9.6 Mathematics of Heat Capacity
9.7 The First Law of Thermodynamics and Calorimetry
9.8 Mathematics of Calorimetry
9.9 Petroleum Refinement
Evidence Analysis: Gas Chromatography
9.10 Case Study Finale: “False and Unreliable”

Chapter 10 Chemistry of Explosions
Case Study: Tracing Explosives
10.1 Explosives 101
10.2 Redox Chemistry of Explosives
10.3 Kinetic-Molecular Theory of Gases
10.4 Gas Laws
10.5 Mathematics of the Gas Laws
10.6 The Combined and Ideal Gas Laws
10.7 Mathematics of the Combined and Ideal Gas Laws
10.8 Mathematics of Advanced Ideal Gas Law Problems
10.9 Detection of Explosives: Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures
Evidence Analysis: Mass Spectroscopy
10.10 Case Study Finale: Tracing Explosives

Chapter 11 Applications of Chemical Kinetics
Case Study: The Casey Anthony Trial
11.1 Introduction to Chemical Kinetics
11.2 Collision Theory
11.3 Kinetics and Temperature
11.4 Kinetics and Catalysts
11.5 Zero-Order Reactions
11.6 First-Order Reactions
11.7 Half-Life
11.8 Case Study Finale: The Casey Anthony Trial

Chapter 12 Nuclear Chemistry: Energy, Medicine, Weapons, and Terrorism
Case Study: Elimination by Irradiation
12.1 The Discovery of Natural Radioactivity
12.2 Radiation Types and Hazards
12.3 Balancing Nuclear Equations
12.4 Half-Lives and Risk Assessment
12.5 Medical Applications of Nuclear Isotopes
12.6 Forensic Application of Carbon-14
12.7 Nuclear Power Plants
12.8 Military Uses of Nuclear Isotopes
12.9 Nuclear Transmutations
12.10 Nuclear Terrorism
Evidence Analysis: Neutron Activation Analysis
12.11 Case Study Finale: Elimination by Irradiation

Chapter 13 Chemical Equilibrium and Poisons
Case Study: A Mother-in-Law’s Justice 375
13.1 Introduction to Poisons
13.2 Chemical Equilibrium and Poisons
13.3 Dynamic Equilibrium
13.4 Values of the Equilibrium Constant
13.5 Le Chatelier’s Principle
13.6 Solubility Equilibrium
13.7 Mathematics of Equilibrium
13.8 Case Study Finale: A Mother-in-Law’s Justice

Chapter 14 Introduction to Biochemistry and DNA Analysis
Case Study: Remembering 9-11
14.1 Lipids: Fats, Waxes, and Oils
14.2 Carbohydrates
14.3 Proteins
14.4 DNA Basics
14.5 DNA Analysis
14.6 Mitochondrial DNA
14.7 Case Study Finale: Remembering 9-11
Appendix A
Appendix B
Answers to Odd-Numbered Questions and Problems
Combined Glossary/Index

Authors

Matthew Johll

Dr. Matthew Johll is Professor of Chemistry and Adjunct Professor of Forensic Science at Illinois Valley Community College, where he teaches introductory and general chemistry courses. Dr. Johll received his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Iowa State University. In addition to his twenty years of teaching, he has also served as an expert witness/consultant for several murder cases in the United Kingdom, including a BBC investigation into a serial killer. He has also consulted on a Jane Doe case in central Illinois, in which new scientific methods are being employed to identify the victim. When he is not writing, editing, grading, or teaching, he can be found camping with his three sons and serving as Scoutmaster for their Boy Scout troop. He was recently honored with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout award for his professional achievements.

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