Colegio de Santa Catalina de Alejandria (COSCA)

8844+GM7, Bishop Epifanio B, Bishop Epifanio Surban St,

Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental,Philippines

FORENSIC 3
Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
LECTURE -
2
Prepared by:

JOANNE C. VILLAFLORES, RCrim.,MSCJ

To qualify as a forensic chemist in the Philippines, you typically need a
Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Forensic Science, or a related
scientific field from an accredited university, with a strong focus on
chemistry, biology, and mathematics coursework; while there is no
dedicated board exam for forensic science in the Philippines, gaining
practical experience in a crime laboratory is highly recommended to be
fully qualified for the role.

Key points about forensic chemist qualifications in the Philippines:

•Degree Requirement:
A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry,
Forensic Science, or a similar
science-based program is the primary requirement.
Course Focus:
The curriculum should include extensive study in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and criminal
justice related topics.

•No Specific Board Exam:

As of now, there is no dedicated board exam
for forensic science in the Philippines,
so gaining practical experience is crucial.

•Relevant Skills:
Attention to detail, analytical thinking, strong laboratory skills, ability to document findings
accurately, and knowledge of legal procedures are important.
Potential career paths with a forensic chemistry background in the Philippines:
Crime laboratory analyst, Forensic evidence examiner, Toxicology analyst, Questioned
documents examiner, and Crime scene investigator.
Forensic chemists in the Philippines typically have a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related scientific
field. They use a variety of chemical analysis techniques and investigative tools to analyze evidence.

Qualifications
•A bachelor's degree in chemistry, clinical chemistry, or a related scientific field
•A master's degree or doctoral degree in forensic chemistry, if available
•Accreditation from the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission
(FEPAC)
Salary
•The average base salary for a forensic chemist at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is
₱366,000 per year
•The total pay range for a forensic chemist
at the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency is ₱324,000–₱408,000 per year
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES OF FORENSIC CHEMISTS

1. Conduct qualitative and quantitative determination of abuse drugs as

well as volatile substances.
2. Conduct chemical examination
of explosives and or explosive ingredients.
3. Conduct examination of paraffin cast
and firearms to determine the presence
of gunpowder nitrates.
4. Conduct gunpowder examination
on clothing for possible gunshot range.
5. Conduct chemico-toxicological examination of human internal organs,
gastric contents, blood, water, food sample and other substances.
6. Conduct examination of fake products in cases of unfair
trade competition.

7. Conduct blood alcohol determinations.

8. Examine urine samples and other body fluids for the

presence of abused drugs.

9. Conduct researches related to cases

being examined.

10. Testify and give expert

11. Give lectures on forensic chemistry and
chemical-toxicology to various schools, universities,
police training centers and investigating units.

12. Respond to queries

of all investigating units and
render experts opinion on matter related to the
application of chemical principles for the purpose of
assisting investigators develop investigative leads.
Equipment Used in Forensic Examination

[Link] (High Powered Liquid Chromatography)

Used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of a
volatile or non-volatile compound based on the chromatographic
separation of its components.
2. Ultra-Violet Spectrophotometer
Used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compounds.

3. EMIT (Enzyme Multiple Immuno Assay Technique)

Used for screening of abused urine samples.
4. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope)

Used for the physical identification of various questioned specimens. It is

a software-controlled digital scanning electron microscope used to produce
sticking images over a wide range of magnification (3x3,000,000x) on rough
or covered surface of minute specimen such as hairs, fibers, paint particles,
drugs, metal, etc.
5. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)

Used for the identification of pure organic substances. Identifies organic

substances particularly abused drugs and explosive ingredients based on their
characteristic functional groups.
Preservation and Safekeeping of Evidence

1. Chain of custody shall always be observed.

2. All examined pieces of evidence (drugs and other

paraphernalia, explosives, firearms, etc.) shall be
personally turned over by the examiner on case to the
evidence custodian.

The latter in turn shall execute its

documentation by recording all
received as well as
released evidence for court presentation.
No examiners shall keep in
their possession evidence once examined.
3. Evidence shall be properly placed in suitable dry containers for proper
preservation inside the concrete evidence room.

Firearms evidence shall be kept in a separate evidence room especially designed

for the purpose.
However, hazardous evidence such as explosives and other inflammable
evidence are photographed after examination with its corresponding case number
before turning it over to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EODU) with proper
receipt for safekeeping or proper disposal.
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC CRIME LABORATORY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
• February 14, 1829 – Massacre occurred in Chicago. Then a group of
public minded individuals was responsible for the establishments of
scientific crime laboratory in that city which today has taken its place in
the historical annals of police science.
• March 31, 1876 – Creation of “Medicos Titulares” by virtue of the Royal
Decree No. 188 of Spain. For every province a Forensic Physician was
assign to perform
public sanitary duties and at the
same time medico-legal aids
to the administration of justice.
• December 15, 1884 – Governor General Joaquin Javellar created
a committee to study the mineral waters of Luzon and appointed
Anacleto del Rosario as chemist.
• September 13, 1887 – Establishment of “Laboratorio Municipal de
Manila” under the inspection of the “Direccion General de
Adminstracion Civil” and the control of the gobierno de
Provincias”. The function of the laboratory were to make analysis
not only of food, water and others from the standpoint of public
health and legal medicine but also of specimen of clinical
purposes.
• 1894 – Laboratorio Medico-Legal was created under the dependency of
the judicial branch of the government and the laboratory functioning under
the direction of physician and assisted by pharmacist-chemist.
• 1895 – Antonio Luna established a clinical laboratory where
some original works in chemistry were done. Unfortunately, all
prospects of the advancement of the scientific laboratories were
paralyzed as a result of the revolution in 1896.
• 1899 – First scientific laboratory were established in a small
building on the banks of Pasig River with Lt. R.P. Strong of the
US Army in charge.
• 1901 – Actual scientific work began under the initiative of Dean
C. Worcester by virtue of Act No. 156 approved by the Civil
Commission.
• July 01, 1901 – the Bureau of Government Laboratories was
created for the purpose of performing biological and chemical
examinations as well as for the production of vaccines and sera.
• March 11, 1915 – The Department of Legal Medicine was
created pursuant to the resolution of the Board of Regents. The
department took charge of the courses of legal medicines and its
branches in the College of Medicine and Law.
• October 14, 1924 – Through the passage of Act No. 3043 by the
Philippine Legislature, the same Department of Legal Medicine
became a branch of the Department of Justice and at the same
time an integral part of the University of the Philippines.
• December 01, 1937 – The Division of Investigation was created
under the Commonwealth Act No. 181 with two medico-legal
officers and a chemist. The Medico-Legal Section of the Division
of Investigation started the definite movement towards the
creation of scientific crime detection laboratory.
• September 1945 –
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was organized with
the Division of Investigation as the nucleus. The chemical
laboratory of the medico-legal section was expanded into a
Forensic Chemistry Division.
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
Investigator is a fact finder, it is basic that he must know the
laws concerning the nature of his investigation. He should procure
evidence in such a way that the findings can be admitted in court
and remain impregnable to any attack by the opposing counsel.
He should be in constant contact with various investigative and
enforcement agencies.
Evidence is a proof of allegation, it is a means sanctioned by
law of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding
the truth respecting a matter of fact
(Sec. 1 Rule 128, Revised Rules on Evidence).
 Scientific evidence, may be defined as the means
sanctioned by law of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the
truth respecting a matter of fact, wherein scientific knowledge is
necessary. Such scientific evidence must have such a relation to
the fact in issue as to induce belief in its existence or non-
existence.
Evidence on collateral matters shall not be allowed except,
when it tends in any reasonable degree to establish the
probability or improbability of a fact in issue.
 Evidence may be: a) direct; b) indirect which includes circumstantial
evidence; and c) hearsay.
• Direct evidence – is that which the senses perceive. Any fact to which a
witness testifies based on what he saw, heard, smelled, touched or tasted is
direct. In most cases, no witness is present at the scene of the crime or even
if there is/are witness/es, they are not willing to testify. The necessity of
resorting to other means of proof is essential. Crimes are done secretly.
Usually the perpetrator seeks darkness and remoteness in order to cover his
misdeeds. Hence, it is necessary to use all other available modes of
procuring evidence in order to establish and prove a case in court.

• Circumstantial evidence – is a kind of evidence which seeks to establish a

conclusion by inferences from the fact proven.
Illustrative Case
While a policeman was patrolling, he heard a scream from a
house. He immediately ran to the house and then and there, he
saw a man coming out of the house carrying a bloody knife. The
policeman arrested the man and subsequently entered the house.
There he saw a female cadaver lying on the floor with a stab
wound on the breast.
In this case, the only direct evidence to which the policeman
can easily testify would be to the fact that he saw the man coming
out of the house with a bloody knife where the scream came
from. The prosecutor may establish a conclusion that the man
with a knife is the criminal by inference from the facts testified to
by the policeman.
 Under the present law, circumstantial evidence is sufficient
for conviction if:
1. There is more than one circumstances;
2. The facts from which the inferences are derived are proven;
and
3. The combination of all the circumstances is such as to produce
conviction beyond reasonable doubt.
• Hearsay evidence – is a statement made by a witness on
the authority of another and not his own personal
knowledge or observation. Hearsay evidence is
inadmissible, except on the following:
1) Dying declaration;
2) Res gestae;Latin term res gestae literally translates to mean “things done”
3) Declaration against interest;
4) Act or declaration about pedigree;
5) Family reputation or tradition regarding pedigree;
6) Common reputation;
7) Part of the res gestae;
8) Entries in the course of business;
9) Entries in official records;
10) Learned treaties; and
11) Testimony or deposition at a former proceeding.
Forms of Scientific Evidence
1. Real or Autoptic evidence – is that evidence which is
addressed to the senses of the court. It is not limited to that
which can be known by the sense of vision but extends to
those which are perceived by the senses of hearing, taste,
smell or touch.

2. Testimonial evidence – an expert may be called on the

witness stand to answer all questions to be propounded by both
parties in the case.
3. Documentary evidence – any written evidence
presented by an expert in court which is relevant to the
subject matter in dispute and not excluded by the Rules
of Court. Formal written report, expert opinion,
certificates and dispositions are included in this group.
WITNESS
Any witness in court may be ordinary or expert witness.
Under the law, an ordinary witness must have the following
qualifications:
1. He must have the organ and power to perceive;
2. He can make known his perception to others; and
3. He does not fall under any of the exception provided for by
law.
 The opinion of a witness regarding a question of
science, art or trade where he is skilled therein, may
be received in evidence. This kind of evidence is
called the testimony of an expert witness.
 Difference between ordinary witness and expert witness
Ordinary Witness Expert Witness

1. Can only state what his senses have 1. Can only state what his senses have perceived
perceived and also give his opinion, and also give his opinion, deductions or
deductions or conclusions to his perceotion. conclusions to his perceotion.

2. May not be skilled on the art, science or trade he 2. Must be skilled in the art, science or trade he is
is testifying. testifying.

3. Cannot testify on things or fact which he has 3. Can testify on things which he has not seen by
not perceived, except those provided by law. giving his opinions, deductions or conclusions on
the statements of facts.
Qualifications of an Expert Witness

1. The degree of learning of the witness;

2. The basis and logic of his conclusion; and
3. The other proof of cases. (U.S. v. Tiono, 3 Phil. 213; Samson
v. Corrales Tan Quintin, 44 Phil. 573).
Thank you…!!!
References:

• Canete, A. (Essentials of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology.

Wiseman’s Books Trading.
• Guevarra, B. (2011). Dangerous Drugs and Vice Control.
Wiseman’s Books Trading.
• Manwong, R. (2013). Instructional Materials in Drug education
and Vice Control. Wisemans Books Trading.
• Nyakundi, C. (2014). How to Overcome Drug Addiction.
Mendon Cottage Book JD-Biz Publishing.
 “Assessment and Activities will be done after the
discussion in order to comply the requirements for the
subject”