Chemistry 001 Library Guide:
Chemistry and Law

With such a broad starting point, it can feel overwhelming to select a topic that can be covered in a short paper. It is very important to focus your area of interest so that you can address it in a four-page paper. There are several ways to find direction and narrow the topic to a manageable size. Remember, research is not always a linear process. Explore broadly until you find an idea that interests you then search for journal articles on that final, focused paper topic.

1. ‘Big picture’ questions that help you find an area of interest on which to concentrate

2. Encyclopedia articles can provide background and perspective as well as pique your interest in a topic. Encyclopedia articles are not appropriate as references for this paper but rather can be used to help with choosing a specific topic.

3. We’ve come up with some keywords to spark your own ideas.

4. We’ve placed several books for each subject on Reserve. Scan the Table of Contents and/or the Index for inspiration.

1. ‘Big Picture’ Questions

How has chemistry changed the process of identifying suspects?
What chemical reagents are used in forensic science?
How has chemistry changed the evidence used in trials?
How has chemistry been used to appeal convictions?
Has chemistry resulted in changes in the law?

2. Encyclopedia Articles

“Criminalistics” in Access Science
“Forensic chemistry” in Access Science also a research update of the same name
“Forensic DNA Testing” in Access Science
“Forensic mitochondrial DNA analysis” in Access Science
“Toxicology” in Access Science

forensics
DNA analysis
trace evidence such as fibers, paint chips, soil, glass
Luminol
toxicology screening
fingerprint residues
drug/alcohol testing
paternity testing
document authentication (composition of ink and/or paper)
hair analysis (testing for drugs or poisons)
fires and explosions - examination of residues and determination of cause
polluters; environmental forensics

 
4. Books on Reserve

We’ve placed several books for each subject on Reserve.
Click the links below to see the Table of Contents for inspiration.
Then take a look at the book by taking the call number to the Reserves Desk in the lower level of Raynor where you can check it out and browse through it.
Scan the index for additional ideas.

Advances in Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry
edited by Jehuda Yinon
call number: HV8073.5 .A38 2004

Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science
edited by Peter White
call number: HV8073 .C75 2004

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science
by Richard Saferstein
call number: HV8073 .S2
above link is to the 7th ed. (2007)
6th ed. (1998) is on Reserve

Criminalistics: Forensic Science and Crime
by James E. Girard
call number: HV9073 .G564 2006

Forensic Science: The Basics
by Jay A. Siegel
call number: HV8073 .S444 2007

Investigating Chemistry: A Forensic Science Perspective
by Matthew E. Johll
call number: HV8073 .J58 2007

Molecular Forensics
edited by Ralph Rapley and David Whitehouse
call number: QH313.5 .F67 M65 2007

 

• ProQuest Research Library
• Academic Search Elite