CVB216 Forensic Chemistry

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Forensic Chemistry is dedicated to the screening and quantification of any substance, compound or material that may be abused or cause harm to humans, environment or infrastructure. A forensic chemist is a professional chemist who analyzes unknown substances and other forms of evidence using advanced chemical technologies. The forensics scientist uses in-depth scientific knowledge to interpret the anlysis results and arrive to correct non-biased conclusions on the evidence. In the Forensic Chemistry unit, students will gain expertise in all the major branches of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and especially analytical & bio-analytical) as related to forensic investigations. The analytical aspect of the course has been broadened from a more traditional chemistry focus to include modern and special types of analysis of importance to forensic science.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Be able to demonstrate the chromatographic and spectrometric analytical techniques (Isotope ratio mass spectroscopy, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, Raman and infrared spectroscopy) that are used in forensic chemical analysis.
2. Be able to demonstrate the molecular structures and reactivity of a wide range of drugs of abuse, performance enhancing drugs, hazardous and toxic substances as well as explosives precursors that may be involved in unlawful activity.
3. Be able to design analytical protocols and select appropriate analytical techniques for the identification, profiling and quantification of illicit and hazardous substance.
4. Be able to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to a range of forensic analyses.
5. Be able to identify the considerations and techniques required to extract and identify trace amounts of forensic chemical evidence.
6. Be able to interpret, present and draw logical conclusions from analytical results.

Content

Learning Approaches

Lectures: 2 hours weekly (concept focus)
Interactive lectures using appropriate real world examples to demonstrate theory and concepts combined with collaborative problem solving in groups with feedback and discussion with the larger class.
Laboratory practicals:
In the practical course, you will learn how to handle forensic samples safely, while carrying out analysis and processes for isolation, purification and detection of substances that are relevant to real life forensic investigations.
Workshops:
In the workshops, you will engage scientific problems in forensic analysis. You will interact with the rest of the class to critically discuss scientific problems and develop strategies for their resolution within the forensic analysis context.
Poster Presentation:
You will develop your interpersonal skills as a forensic scientist through oral presentations on scientific topics such as:
The forensic examination ultra-trace amounts of illicit drugs in latent fingerprints, fiber analysis, non-invasive detection of explosives, drug profiling.
Workshops and oral sessions are to take place at collaborative learning spaces

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

There will be extensive opportunity to assess your progress in the unit. Formative feedback on progress towards the goals of the chemical project will be provided throughout the semester focussed around discussions of the results recorded in your laboratory workbook and regular consultations with your supervisor and other research staff involved. Additional consultation is available on request from the Unit Coordinator and teaching staff. Summative written feedback will be provided on the literature review, project report and presentation at the project conclusion.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit will take the form of scientific reports on experimental lab work within the forensic practice. The assessment will also include a final written examination of the theory studied within the unit. In the event that campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period, an alternative which may be a Timed Online Assessment will be offered.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Portfolio

You will be required to undertake Seven 3-hour sessions of supervised practical work and participate in Nine 1-hour workshops (coordinated by the lecture) where you discuss given problems and contribute to the design methodologies for forensic case work. You will be submitting written reports and scientific opinion to solve the give problems.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Oral Presentation

Oral presentations prepared by the students will be discussed among the class towards the final week of the semester. Students required to present on a modern topic in forensic chemistry such as:
The forensic examination ultra trace amounts of illicit drugs in latent fingerprints, fiber analysis, non-invasive detection of explosives, drug profiling.
Students are requested to discuss, comment on and rank the oral presentation presented to the class. The unit coordinator will use the comments and ranking made by the members of the class to give mark for each submitted poster.

Assessment: Examination (written)

The end of semester theory exam will cover content from all theory components of the unit. It will comprise questions for which a written examination will be required. In the event that campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period, an alternative which may be a Timed Online Assessment will be offered. 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

The professional practice of Chemistry requires the safe handling of Hazardous Substances. A practical laboratory program is an important part of this unit, so you will be required to handle such substances. The chemicals and procedures used in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. You will undertake compulsory formal pre-laboratory assessment in Health and Safety matters relevant to the laboratory and QUT buildings in general. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments are clearly explained in the Practical Manual. Having been provided with this advice, it is your responsibility to comply with all instructions, for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.