Chemistry concepts and applications

¶ … unaware that most of them deals with chemistry. When we cook food or clean things, chemistry is usually involved. The mixing of various spices is a form of chemistry. The cleaning materials such as soap, detergent, and cleaning acids we used in cleaning are all mixtures of chemicals. Chemistry is an important part of our daily habits. Even in some of the professions, chemistry plays an important role. In my job of arson, fire, and explosives' investigation for instance, understanding of chemistry is essential to find evidences for the resolution of these cases.

This paper aims to discuss the importance of chemistry in arson, fire, and explosives' investigation. From time to time, examples of investigation steps will be mentioned to point the use of chemistry in the process.

Forensic Chemistry

Forensic Chemistry is an essential science in the investigation of criminal cases. Often, criminals have different techniques when committing crimes. Forensic science is nothing but a basic application of science techniques such as physics and chemistry. The operation is a valuable process in rendering investigation services for the cause of justice. The science of chemistry adjoins a missing link to furnish and establish evidences. The field of forensic chemistry is wide and diversible. The duties of the individual assigned to forensic chemistry are generally risk bearing and hazardous. Almost always they deal with various chemicals which may poisonous or harmful. For instance, they have to determine evidences from samples using petrol, acid, and kerosene. They also perform the study of explosive materials and chemicals to establish facts and detect clues.

Some forensic chemistry methods include sensitive testing for analysis of fragments such as glass, paints, and firearms discharge residues. Determining specific soil and mineral contaminants are also being examined and investigated in some events particularly during fire and explosions.

Chemistry in Arson, Fire, and Explosives Investigation

Arson involves the study of physical evidences such as debris and residues to detect the cause of fire. The techniques involved in the investigation process require basic knowledge of chemistry in various fire and explosives initiated by the arsonist. The science of chemistry is an essential process in law and investigation procedures.

There are many accelerants used by arsonists to set fire. During examination of an arson, investigators collect debris and residues left in the event of fire. These residues are placed in an airtight container to preserve the characteristics of the components. They are then studied in a laboratory using various chemical applications in the examination of the residue samples. To identify small traces of residue, gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, another forms of chemistry are utilized. These are accomplished by the chemical processes applied by the forensic scientists, techniques like employment of molecules such as nucleic acids and proteins.

Another event specific to the use of chemistry to provide evidence is explosion. It may occur deliberately or accidentally during domestic, commercial, criminal or terrorist cases. Identifying and tracing the capacity of materials from the explosive devices is essential to know the cause of the explosion.

The terrorist event in 1993 in the underground parking lot of the World Trade Center was an instance where chemistry helped in identifying the materials used. The bomb was created using various chemicals that was exploited to produce chain reaction. The investigators found out that a gel of urea nitrate was used when they analyzed the debris in the parking. A high level of urea and nitric acids were found.

The application of chemistry is very important in arson and explosives investigation. The proficiency in conducting chemical examination aid in the process of determining the causes and producing evidences through the scientific analysis and implementation of chemistry. Any material, debris, and residues in any investigation are important for chemical testing to build facts about a case. The role of chemistry and the duties of the forensic analyst go hand in aiding mysteries and unknown causes of a particular crime. It is not only in the resolution of a case that forensic chemistry plays a vital role. It also helps in reducing the potentiality of crime.