Activity for Forensic Chemistry Subject

Submitted to: Sir Andres Kiaki

Submitted by: Lachaona Kervie Jay C.
BSCrim 2- section C
Journal no. 1
Study of Suspected Burning Case: A Homicide or A Suicide
Introduction
Forensic experts are really important to the field of Investigation, for the reason that all
field of sciences were present to Forensic Expert team. Each every role of the members
were considered relevant or important, for each of them can contribute for the success
of the Investigation. Not only for the success but also for the bringing out of the truth
behind a certain crime scene where they were engaging with. Considering the crime
scene in the journal, sometimes an ordinary person will judge that scene as not possible
crime to be happened but for forensic experts this judgement of ordinary person will be
reverse to something not expected. Because most of the time not all things we observe
physically to the crime scene were the cause of it but it need further examination and
laboratory process for it will be proven as evidence. Just like what the investigators did
to that crime scene in the journal that they have done a detailed investigation to all sides
of the said crime scene for them to know what really happened before concluding it as
homicide or a suicide.
Body
Insights and concepts I learned in Forensic Chemistry which are relevant in
investigation, are the process on how to preserve and protect physical evidences from
contamination of it. Because physical evidence collected at crime scenes must be
sealed in special containers to prevent the degradation and is catalogued carefully for it
will not be misplaced or mixed to other physical evidence collected. Even the process
on how to transfer physical evidences, the chain of custody must be established and
documented as the evidence is sent to forensic laboratory. And in the laboratory will be
the evidences must be examine or process because in the laboratory where the forensic
experts are present to do examinations. Like the forensic serologists that examine body
fluids, forensic pathologist that examines human remains, firearms technicians that
classify and test firearms and explosive, and forensic chemist that determine the
composition and identity od materials. These are some of the basic Forensic Chemistry
topics I have known or learned that are important or relevant in doing investigation
because one failure of processing evidence already lessen the effectivity of it. Because
through evidences crime scene can be reconstructed event it is burned or destroyed.

Discussion
The concepts I learned from the journal article which are related to Forensic Chemistry,
is the proper detailing of the crime scene. On what it is look like, the exact placement of
the victim and objects found and providing the measurements of some of the measured
objects found in the crime scene. And basing from those detailed investigation they
have done, the Investigating officer can able to come up with the correct reconstruction
of the crime scene on what really happened even the victim is dead and no witnesses to
interact with. In which due to the physical evidences we can able to come up with the
correct idea on how the incident happened if this case is a suicide or homicide. Even
the preservation of the crime scene is one also I observed, that the crime scene is not
touched or being manipulated by other people and whatever it is, is not distracted or
disturbed even placement of objects are intact and not moved. For the purpose that the
crime scene will not be contaminated.
Summary or Conclusion
Careful examination in the crime scene revealed the possible truth of the incident
happened. In which the Investigating officer of the crime scene found out that the hole in
the clay-tiled roof was created after the incident of fire, that lead the Investigating officer
in the other direction that is not expected. That to my opinion it is not possible that the
incident will not be considered suicide but it shall be homicide. It is due to the hole in the
clay-tiled roof that is doubtfully the exit portal of the husband of the victim considering
the way or manner on how the hole was created. Therefore I conclude that investigator
patience is important in investigation for him to find out hidden truths behind those kind
of crime scene he/she is involving because not all things expected are expected but it
can also be unexpected.

Journal no. 2
A case study in forensic chemistry: The Bali bombings
Introduction
The bombing that happened in Bali was one of the most unforgettable terrorist attack
that challenges the profession of forensic experts. Three bombs were planted and
exploded that night of October 12, 2002, and many people were killed and injured, most
of them were Australians. That’s why the Australian Federal Police sent a team of
investigative and forensic officers to Bali to assist the Indonesian National Police in their
investigation. In which the Australian Federal Police deploys part of its mobile laboratory
to Bali to assist the collection of trace evidence and explosive residues. This Australian
Federal Police practice is to set it up as close to the forward command post for security
and effective communication and as close to the scene as to be convenient, yet far
enough away to minimize the risk of contamination. The police operation that have
applied to this crime scene is referred to what they called as operation alliance that this
involved the participations of the Australian Federal Police, Indonesian National Police
and international law enforcement communities to address this crime done by
international group of terrorist. Although they are many forensic links to the operation,
the article only related to some aspects of the chemistry component of the criminal
investigation.
Body
In this bombing crime scene situation, insights I have learned in Forensic Chemistry that
is important in the investigation of this case is investigators of bombing incidents must
be resourceful of gaining information concerning on what type of explosive quantity and
bomb structure they have found to a certain crime scene. Even the ensuring of the
details is important such the location of the sample and the identity of every person
involved in the possession is recorded. Considering also the safety of collected pieces
of evidences to be free from contamination. Because for the purpose of this is to
maintain the integrity and accurate detail of samples found at the crime scene until
presented to court.
Discussion
There are some concepts I have learned from the journal entitled Bali bombing like the
operation alliance concept that shows the cooperation of law enforcement unit of
different countries to join together to respond at this kind of incident happened. Even the
important role of forensic laboratories in examining fragments and fluids found in this
case of bombing is also one I observed and keep in mind because the present of this
forensic laboratories will help in determining chemicals and materials used in
formulating and making of explosives materials. Also it is helpful in giving identification
of person who are not identified in their physical appearance after an incident of
bombing. That through these modernized equipment offered by forensic laboratories
investigation are now becoming easier to solve especially tracing of evidences.
Because forensic laboratories concept proved to be effective in providing valuable
information to the investigation at the time when it needed especially in presenting to
court. Actually manners of recovering water soluble residues from blast scenes and
suspect's residues is a very challenging task that requires a meticulous and methodical
approach. That’s why the concept of deploying forensic experts and setting up mobile
laboratories is proved to be a highly effective and efficient way to process large number
of samples and assist investigation with relevant information needed.
Summary/ Conclusion
Crimes like what happened in the journal, operation alliance is such effective concept
to employ in this kind of situation especially if the impact didn’t affect only one country.
Because through this operation alliance, at least other nation will come to help with their
modernized tools to solve on how the incident happened and find the identity of the
suspect. If we see from the journal if the Australian Federal Police and other country law
enforcement agency didn’t come to help, the investigation of this case will be failed or it
can result to cold cases that crimes that are unsolved. The important of laboratories
were also presented in the journal that through their testing tools and experiment,
fragments evidences are not being wasted. And give result to the reconstruction of the
crime scene and the early arrest of the offenders who are involved in this Bombing
happened in Bali. Forensic experts, laboratories and their modernized tools actually are
very important in any crime scene due for the reason that it produce fact on what
happened and who are involved of a certain crime scene happened.