13: DNA, Biological Evidence, and Forensic Chemistry — Read

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Learning Objectives

To learn about DNA and its importance to forensic identification
To understand the role of forensic biology as a scientific discipline
To learn about the analysis of skin, hair, and fibers
To understand the role of forensic chemistry as a scientific discipline
To understand the difference between presumptive testing and confirmatory testing
To learn about microcrystalline and color testing of drugs and controlled substances
To learn about confirmatory testing with the GCMS and SEM methods
To learn about chemicals used for the enhancement or visualization of evidence

Biological evidence has become the cornerstone for modern forensic science and includes physiological fluids, excretions, and tissues, such as blood, saliva, semen, skin tissue, bone, hair, and skin cells. This evidence is not limited to the human species but is shared by every living organism that populates this planet.

This page titled 13: DNA, Biological Evidence, and Forensic Chemistry was last modified on Sun, 25 Jan 2026 01:25:26 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by David Doglietto.

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Learning Objectives