Introduction

In the previous lesson, you saw some techniques used to determine whether poison was present in a system. Since the 1900s, more advanced techniques have been developed. In this lesson we will look at one method — spectroscopy — used in both forensic toxicology and other forensics fields.

A scientist in a lab using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer.
A scientist using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to...

  • Use a spectrophotometer to determine which, if any, of the samples contains poison.
  • Explore a spectrophotometer and explain how it is used to determine the concentration of a solution

Essential Questions

  • What laboratory methods are used to analyze the amount of drug within a person's body?

Enduring Understandings

  • Toxicology has a long historical presence and many applications in assessing the possible cause of death.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation standards: 25.