title: Forensic chemistry.
abstract: Forensic chemistry is unique among chemical sciences in that its research, practice, and presentation must meet the needs of both the scientific and the legal communities. As such, forensic chemistry research is applied and derivative by nature and design, and it emphasizes metrology (the science of measurement) and validation. Forensic chemistry has moved away from its analytical roots and is incorporating a broader spectrum of chemical sciences. Existing forensic practices are being revisited as the purview of forensic chemistry extends outward from drug analysis and toxicology into such diverse areas as combustion chemistry, materials science, and pattern evidence.
authors.affiliation: Bennett Department of Chemistry and Forensic and Investigative Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6121, USA. Suzanne.Bell@mail.wvu.edu
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods