On November 11, 2022, Ms. Stephanie Fisher, a former forensic scientist, came and spoke to our class about what it means to be a forensic scientist and why they are important in our communities. Forensic Science is the study and practice of applying science to the law. Forensic scientists analyze submitted evidence and reports the results in a court of law. Evidence is submitted to the Laboratory in a sealed manner, with a unique number. It is then distributed and analyzed forming a report which is then sent to a Police station for court.
Drug chemistry is responsible for analyzing seized drug evidence submitted by law enforcement personnel. It is weighed and analyzed, generated into a report, then testified in court. The types of materials are liquids, tablets, needles, paraphernalia, and solids. The only difference between crack cocaine and powder cocaine is that you can smoke crack but not powder. This is due to the acidity of powdered cocaine, which can be injected due to its water solubility.
Forensic Scientist use a scale in order to weigh objects, Gas chromatography separates materials in a mixture due to boiling point, Infrared Spectroscopy is used to identify substances.
Forensic Toxicology is the study of poisons pertaining to legal matters, It can consist of Postmortem samples, Anti-mortem samples, and Alcohol and drug screens.
DNA is the building block of life, a chemical code. It is unique in that each person has different DNA other than identical siblings. You can extract DNA from blood, saliva, or other tissues or fluids. Two types of evidence samples normally tested are forensic unknowns, and known samples, meaning you either are sure or unsure of where or who it came from.
Ms. Fisher did an outstanding job of explaining the unknown facts surrounding her career of Forensic Science and how truly important is to not only our community, but to solving cases and gaining justice for those who have been stripped of it. It was so interesting to learn all of the things that Forensic Scientists are in charge of and how much they contribute to the justice system!
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