CHEM 441: Forensic Chemistry
Forensic Chemistry Websites
Web sites can contain good and useful information. They must, however,
be evaluated very carefully in order to be used for scholarly projects.
(How
to evaluate web sites (LOBO).) You will NOT find professional chemistry
journal articles by using search engines. You can find much useful
information about professional organizations related to forensic chemistry
or employing forensic chemists. This list is by no means exhaustive,
but should serve as a starting place for you to explore forensic chemistry
in professional settings.
Note that any materials quoted or used from a web site must also be properly cited.
Forensic Science
Resources: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
A broad site that contains links to some professional societies as
well sites about analytical chemistry. Listserves are also mentioned.
Society of Forensic Toxicologists
"The Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Inc. (SOFT) is an organization
composed of practicing forensic toxicologists and those interested
in the discipline for the purpose of promoting and developing forensic
toxicology." - from the website.
FBI Laboratory Chemistry
Unit
The homepage for the FBI's chemistry division, which includes all
forensic investigations and laboratories.
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Website evaluation
The list above is very brief, and there are any number of other useful forensic chemistry websites around. How do you know if you're
looking at a good one? Here are some things to look for:
- It's not wikipedia. Most information in wikipedia is actually accurate, but lacks authority. The information you find largely copied
from other resources, not written by experts just for wikipedia. Not that it's not a helpful place to get started.
Remember: You can read wikipedia, you just can't cite wikipedia.
- It's a university or government site (i.e., .edu or .gov). Certainly not a foolproof check, but you have to have some credentials just to
get these sites, so they are generally more valuable (and less often biased) than a personal or business site.
- The author is clearly noted, and has some expertise on the subject.
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