Forensic Chemistry Division provides scientific support to law enforcement with the state-of-the-art analytical techniques. The goal is to contribute the identification of chemical substances and the reconstruction of crime scene in various cases, such as murders, assaults, suicides, arson, explosion, chemical leaking, terror, addiction, etc. The division also conduct the analysis of biological evidences in the case of driving under the influence of alcohol(DUIA), sexual assault cases, and alcohol/disease related death cases.
Analysis of various trace evidence (fibers, paints, glass, soils, etc.) found at crime scenes
Determination of a source of origin and comparison of questioned materials to known materials based on stable isotope ratio and multi-elemental analyses
Analysis of blood alcohol concentration(BAC) and biomarkers for death related diseases in postmortem cases
Analysis on acids, alkalis, hazardous chemicals, environmental pollutants, harmful gases
Flammable liquids, organic solvents, ketone bodies, illicit oils
The Forensic Chemistry Division consists of five sections including Trace Evidence Analysis Lab., Chemical Fingerprint Analysis Lab., DUIA/Biomarkers for Alcohol Consumption and Diseases., Hazardous Chemical Analysis Lab., and Fire Debris and Inflammable Substances Analysis Lab.
Performs analysis on trace evidence includes fibers, resins, paints, and different types of foreign materials related to various cases such as murder, robbery, theft, crash, etc.. Analysis of trace evidence is performed by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), microspectrophotometry(MSP), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) with various microscopes (stereoscopic microscope, high magnification microscope, polarizing light microscope, etc.).
Determines a source of origin and performs comparison of questioned materials to known materials based on chemical fingerprints of substances by the stable isotope ratio and multi-elemental analyses. Trace elements and isotope composition of materials vary depending on a source of origin and raw materials used for manufacturing products. Chemical fingerprint analysis is performed using the-state-of-the-art instrument (LA-ICP-MS, IRMS, XRF, XRD, etc.) to determine a source of origin and to perform comparison of questioned materials to known materials such as paint chips, tape, glass fragments, and so on. The laboratory has established a database of glass, soil, tape, etc. to achieve goals by the stable isotopes and multi-elemental analyses.
Conducts the analysis of biological evidences in the case of driving under the influence of alcohol(DUIA), sexual assault cases, and alcohol/disease related death cases. The lab confirms the alcohol concentration and measures the content related to decomposition index substances and drinking in blood and other tissues of postmortem specimens performing ketone analysis, which is an index substance for chronic alcoholism and diabetes. Recently, the lab has developed a new method to determine the consumption of alcohol analyzing the ethanol metabolites(EtG and EtS) from blood and urine samples.
Determines the presence and concentration of various hazardous chemical substances, including heavy metals and acids in water, soil and waste in different forensic environmental cases. In addition, the lab performs the analysis of chemical agent components from biological samples, related to leak, spraying, suicide, homicide, and poisoning cases including misuse and abuse, etc..
Analyzes ignitable liquids from fire debris to determine whether ignitable liquids are related to the case. Also, the lab analyzes and evaluates the authenticity of oil in fraud oil cases, potential materials for chemical accidents, and hazardous gases in accidental poisoning or suicide cases.
강원도 원주시 한의원에서 불임치료목적으로 지은 한약, 한약가루약(일명 반묘가루) 및 한약추출액을 혼합하여 마신 직후 환자가 사망하였으며, 감정결과 위 내용물 및 혈액에서 칸타리 딘(cantharidin)이 검출됨. 칸타리딘은 반묘의 주성분으로 치사량이 10mg이고 과량복용시 복통, 이질, 토혈, 혈뇨, 혈압 저하 등에 이어 사망한다고 알려져 있음