Science of Crime: Drug Chemistry
Program Overview:
Forensic science is a complex discipline that encompasses more than a dozen distinct fields. Except for a few recent additions to the investigative tool kit such as DNA analysis and computer forensics, most fields trace their origins to the 19th century or before.
Presented by The Mob Museum, this program in the Science of Crime series will focus on drug chemistry.
Within most crime labs, scientists have highly specialized expertise. Unlike what is portrayed on television, it is rarely one individual who investigates the crime scene, processes the fingerprints, analyzes the DNA and examines the trace evidence. Instead, highly specialized experts focus on one field. This leads to more efficient and effective lab results.
Each month, The Mob Museum and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Forensic Laboratory will present an in-depth look at the disciplines and sciences that encompass forensic analysis.
About this September’s Science of Crime program:
A forensic scientist from the Chemistry Detail of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Forensic Laboratory will discuss the basic concept of what a “drug” is, the different drug classes, and how unknown samples are recovered and tested in the laboratory to determine their composition. The presentation will cover the analysis of trace materials and include arson analysis, physical matches and complete unknowns.
Free for Museum Members or with Museum admission.