[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Forensic Chemistry > 1. The job of the forensic chemist is to identify materials and trace their origins > Ensuring Accuracy And Preventing Contamination of Samples >[/cs_text][cs_text style=”color: #800000;font-family: “Oxygen”,sans-serif;”]Outline precautions that may be necessary to ensure accuracy and prevent contamination of samples for analysis [/cs_text][cs_text]
- Three major sources of contamination:
- Unnecessary materials are introduced during collection, handling and transporting.
- The laboratory set up is inappropriate for work (e.g. flaking and corroding paint, lack of ventilation, dirty laboratory).
- The analyst is careless and does not follow laboratory rules (e.g. not wearing of suitable clothing such as gloves, mask, and safety glasses).
- Precautions that may ensure accuracy and prevent contamination of samples for analysis:
- careful collection and handling of the samples by having separate witnesses during sample collection, documentation and analysis
- bagging, sealing and labelling the sample immediately
- storing the sample in conditions that may prevent deterioration or contamination
- sterilizing the apparatus and equipment
- using suitable clothing such as gloves, mask, and safety glasses
- using controls in testing (error margins must be stated)
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