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Preface to first edition
vii
Preface to the first edition
‘‘Work is always play when you follow your heart, but after the first burst of ideas it became a game.’’ Michael Hawley, Cambridge, MA, 1997.
The term ‘‘forensic’’ has a double meaning. In the most popular sense, forensic science is understood as a particular scientific discipline (medicine, toxicology or chemistry) that is applied for the needs of civil or criminal law. Therefore, an obvious synonym of forensic medicine is legal medicine. In a broader and deeper sense, all ‘‘forensic’’ disciplines belong to forum, i.e. are subjected–more than any other scientific activities–to public debate and public control. Forensic experts are obliged to explain the smallest details of the methods used, to substantiate the choice of the applied technique and to give their unbiased conclusions–all under the critical and often mistrustful look of the servants of Justice, as well as the general public, including the media. The final result of the work of forensic scientists–expert evidence– exerts a direct influence on the fate of a given individual. This burden is a most important stimulus, which determines the way of thinking and acting in forensic sciences. The purpose of this volume is to present critical, up-to-date information on the separation methods applied in various disciplines of forensic science. The book cannot and should not replace a scientific paper in regard to the depth and coverage of a specific problem. It should, however, present the relevant problems in statu nascendi, showing their development, potential importance and future perspectives. This book was written by forensic scientists not only for forensic scientists, but also for other colleagues interested in the particular analytical aspects of substances or materials involved. The general structure of this volume corresponds to the most important forensic disciplines that apply various separation methods, i.e. forensic toxicology, chemistry and serohematology. The chapters devoted to forensic toxicology are focused on particular groups of illicit and therapeutic drugs and other substances of forensic interest. Also, some specific problems of forensic toxicology, such as drugs and driving, doping control, quality assurance, chiral separations, use of alternative matrices and general analytical strategy, are separately discussed. In the part
viii
Preface to the first edition
devoted to forensic chemistry, the most important problems of the analysis of explosives, arson accelerants and writing media are individually covered. The part concerning forensic identification of individuals and biological traces presents all of the relevant separation techniques applied to endogenous macromolecules. The focus of this volume is the responsibility of the editor. The choice of presented topics was not always obvious, taking into account the multifaceted world of forensic sciences. Nevertheless, it is sincerely hoped that the most relevant problems are covered adequately and in proportion. The individual chapters were written by scientists who not only carry out important scientific activity in their field but are also known as very experienced forensic experts. Therefore, this volume gives not only the information about the application of separation methods in forensics, but also reflects the forensic community itself. Forensic scientists are usually passionate about their work, trying to create new methods or to adapt existing methods to their own needs. In doing so, they tend always to put down a personal signature on their work. It was said once that forensic toxicologists would rather share a toothbrush, than their analytical method. I believe that this is caused not, or not only, by personal ambition, but by the consciousness that the final results of the work may be of enormous significance to other person. The analysis report may disrupt a person’s professional and family life, may ruin the good name of an olympic champion or may simply send somebody to jail for a lifetime. Therefore, the name of the play of forensic scientist may be: perfective tracking, but the game must be called: professional responsibility. It is my very pleasant duty to express my sincere thanks to the Series Editor, Roger M. Smith, who entrusted me this volume, and all co-authors for their creative and timely collaboration. I wish to address my thanks to Ms. Reina Bolt of Elsevier Science for her kind and forgiving assistance during the whole editing procedure. Maciej J. Bogusz April 2000
Preface to the first edition
‘‘Work is always play when you follow your heart, but after the first burst of ideas it became a game.’’ Michael Hawley, Cambridge, MA, 1997.
The term ‘‘forensic’’ has a double meaning. In the most popular sense, forensic science is understood as a particular scientific discipline (medicine, toxicology or chemistry) that is applied for the needs of civil or criminal law. Therefore, an obvious synonym of forensic medicine is legal medicine. In a broader and deeper sense, all ‘‘forensic’’ disciplines belong to forum, i.e. are subjected–more than any other scientific activities–to public debate and public control. Forensic experts are obliged to explain the smallest details of the methods used, to substantiate the choice of the applied technique and to give their unbiased conclusions–all under the critical and often mistrustful look of the servants of Justice, as well as the general public, including the media. The final result of the work of forensic scientists–expert evidence– exerts a direct influence on the fate of a given individual. This burden is a most important stimulus, which determines the way of thinking and acting in forensic sciences. The purpose of this volume is to present critical, up-to-date information on the separation methods applied in various disciplines of forensic science. The book cannot and should not replace a scientific paper in regard to the depth and coverage of a specific problem. It should, however, present the relevant problems in statu nascendi, showing their development, potential importance and future perspectives. This book was written by forensic scientists not only for forensic scientists, but also for other colleagues interested in the particular analytical aspects of substances or materials involved. The general structure of this volume corresponds to the most important forensic disciplines that apply various separation methods, i.e. forensic toxicology, chemistry and serohematology. The chapters devoted to forensic toxicology are focused on particular groups of illicit and therapeutic drugs and other substances of forensic interest. Also, some specific problems of forensic toxicology, such as drugs and driving, doping control, quality assurance, chiral separations, use of alternative matrices and general analytical strategy, are separately discussed. In the part
viii
Preface to the first edition
devoted to forensic chemistry, the most important problems of the analysis of explosives, arson accelerants and writing media are individually covered. The part concerning forensic identification of individuals and biological traces presents all of the relevant separation techniques applied to endogenous macromolecules. The focus of this volume is the responsibility of the editor. The choice of presented topics was not always obvious, taking into account the multifaceted world of forensic sciences. Nevertheless, it is sincerely hoped that the most relevant problems are covered adequately and in proportion. The individual chapters were written by scientists who not only carry out important scientific activity in their field but are also known as very experienced forensic experts. Therefore, this volume gives not only the information about the application of separation methods in forensics, but also reflects the forensic community itself. Forensic scientists are usually passionate about their work, trying to create new methods or to adapt existing methods to their own needs. In doing so, they tend always to put down a personal signature on their work. It was said once that forensic toxicologists would rather share a toothbrush, than their analytical method. I believe that this is caused not, or not only, by personal ambition, but by the consciousness that the final results of the work may be of enormous significance to other person. The analysis report may disrupt a person’s professional and family life, may ruin the good name of an olympic champion or may simply send somebody to jail for a lifetime. Therefore, the name of the play of forensic scientist may be: perfective tracking, but the game must be called: professional responsibility. It is my very pleasant duty to express my sincere thanks to the Series Editor, Roger M. Smith, who entrusted me this volume, and all co-authors for their creative and timely collaboration. I wish to address my thanks to Ms. Reina Bolt of Elsevier Science for her kind and forgiving assistance during the whole editing procedure. Maciej J. Bogusz April 2000