Forensic Analysis Demonstration Via Hawaii Five-O

Shmaefsky, Brian R., Journal of College Science Teaching

Byline: Brian R. Shmaefsky

Figure 1. Scientific vocabulary introduced during demonstration.

analyte-a substance detected, identified, or measured in the laboratory.

limitations-identification of all known limitations of an analytical procedure and its use.

sample-the subject of an analytical procedure. The sample in this case consists of a potential target analyte found in a mixture.

selectivity-the extent to which an analytical measurement is not altered by certain non-analytes in the mixture.

standard-a substance of known identity and purity used as a comparison for testing the analyte.

validation-an accepted process by which an analytical procedure is evaluated to determine its accuracy and fitness for its intended use.

Forensics, in its most universal sense, is defined as the use of science or technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence for determining identity or relatedness. Most forensic reasoning is used for arguing legal matters. However, forensic studies are also used in agronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics to identify the properties of materials or compare two different materials.

The interdisciplinary nature of a forensics-based demonstration encourages science majors to move beyond their own narrow fields of study. The demonstration described in this column emphasizes the interconnectedness of biology, chemistry, and geology. Forensics-based demonstrations such as this can also be used to introduce the protocols governing the application …

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Publication information: Article title: Forensic Analysis Demonstration Via Hawaii Five-O. Contributors: Shmaefsky, Brian R. - Author. Journal title: Journal of College Science Teaching. Volume: 36. Issue: 1 Publication date: September 2006. Page number: 14+. © 2009 National Science Teachers Association. COPYRIGHT 2006 Gale Group.

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