Introduction
Forensics is used for the purposes of law enforcement as they provide scientific evidence used in courts of law, trial, and criminal investigations. Forensics is an important part of our society in fighting crime of all sports at all levels. This essay looks at chemicals that are used by forensic experts and the role forensics play in the war on drugs.
Chemicals used in a forensic laboratory
Some of the chemicals used in a forensic laboratory are those used to expose invisible or latent fingerprints: “cyanoacrylate, silver nitrate, iodine, and ninhydrin; Cyanoacrylate is mostly known as superglue” (Castillo 1). In forensic serology, two chemicals are used for large-scale serology testing; they are luminal which reacts in the presence of hemoglobin when an oxidizer is applied, and Fluoresce which is applied and used in the detection of the presence of blood especially on surfaces such as in walls and vertical surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide with phenolphthalein is also applicable in forensics. In forensic DNA analysis, forensic experts use the extraction of DNA samples with organic materials such as phenol, chloroform, or ether to get the results of DNA analysis (Barry 20).
In a chemical analysis in drug and ink identification, using thin layer chromatography, silica gel or aluminum oxide chemicals is vital (Bell 27). In gas chromatography, methanol is used to separate chemical components and also identify what is contained in each element (Max 303).
How forensics help in the war on drugs
Forensics can help in the drug war through several ways, for instance, using phonetic skills, forensic scientists are able to tell the race, sex, and age of a person from their voice alone and even trace back a phone call to a particular phone call at a particular time. Forensic anthropology is where forensic experts sculpt and recreate a person’s image to settle issues regarding identity and cause of death mostly if the person was killed in a drug-related crime and the body badly mutilated (Bell 50).
In the drug war, forensic experts can track down makers of illegal drug tablets through the use of signature stamps, illegal logos, and markings that can be tracked by forensic scientists to the location where they are being manufactured (Bell, 2008). Forensics can also use mobile phone device forensics to track down call history, deleted text messages, SIM card forensics, and history of internet browsing in the mobile phone which provide necessary evidence and direction to law enforcing agents. Forensic video analysis can be used scientific examination, evaluation, and comparison mostly from data stored in CCTV security cameras which can help in identifying and capturing illegal drug traders and their movement. Forensic finger identification can be used to track down illegal drug dealers; this can be done by harvesting fingerprints from scenes of drug-related crimes which can later be used for comparison.
Forensic geophysics has been proved to be very useful in detecting Colombian submarine vessels that are usually used as a means of transporting illegal drugs mostly cocaine and heroin to the US and Mexico. Forensic pathology can be used in post mortem analysis whereby a body is studied for any drug-related illness that may have led to death and also in studying the effects of such illness in body organs. Forensic psychology is a very important discipline in that a criminal’s behavior is studied to indicate the circumstances behind a criminal’s behavior which can then be used for further analysis of criminals exhibiting similar behaviors (Bell 50). Forensic toxicology can also be used to investigate the effect of illegal drugs on human body and potential damage to body organs which can assist in educating the general public on the harm caused by these drugs (Bell 50).
Conclusion
Forensics is very important in the world of crime investigation and prevention. Forensics makes it possible for security agents to effectively fight crime and bring the culprits to justice.
References
Barry, Fisher. Forensics Demystified. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2006. Print.
Bell, Susanne. Drugs, Poisons, and Chemistry. New York: Infobase, 2008. Print.
Castillo, Fabiola. Forensic Chemistry-Using Laboratory Chemicals to Reveal Fingerprints. Article Trader, 2010. Web.
Max, Houck. Fundamental of Forensic Science. New York: Academic Press, 2010. Print.