Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Course Code : FRC 106
Descriptive Title : Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Term and Academic Year : 2st Semester, AY 2025-2026
Department and Year Level : BSCRIM 3
Professor : Prof. MARLON B. OSITA, MSCJ
Module 4
I. Introduction
In this lesson, you shall learn and understand the arson and its chemicals involves the different causes if fire, kinds of
combustion. Also this lesson you shall learn the different tool marks its uses as an evidence different serial numbers and how to
restore the tampered serial numbers.
Time Frame: Date of Submission: _______________________
II. Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this lesson, you must have:
1. Students will discussed the how arson being committed and unlawful;
2. Student will explained tool marks being acquired by any object;
3. Student will determined different type of serial number;
4. Student will restored and identified the tampered serial number.
III. Learning Contents
Arson
The crime arson from the latin word” ardere” meaning “ to burn”.
Arson is an act of intentionally or recklessly setting fire to another’s property or to one’s own property for some improper
reasons. An arson investigator have basic legal aspects of arson.
To constitute an arson, there must be sufficient burning or damage and the burning must be proven to be unlawful.
The offense may be committed as arson if any part of the wood be charred, as distinguish from being smoked or
discolored, if the fiber of the wood destroyed, or its identity changed.
One who sets fire to property “with intent to burn or with intent to destroy” is in effect committing acts which are
considered as an attempt to commit the crime and is considered as consummated arson.
To show intent it is proper to introduce evidence that the purpose of the fire was to destroy evidence to cover- up a
previous crime committed by the accused.
Arson is one of those crimes of secret preparation, most often committed at night, and it is very seldom an eyewitness
can be found who observed the setting of the fire.
An eyewitness could only furnished the investigator as the time when they observe that the fire started, odor of the
smoke and color of the flame and rate of burning.
The very nature of the crime, is such that it becomes necessary for the investigator to collect pieces of physical evidence that
would help if indeed inflammable substance have been used to start the fire and eventually burn the building or establishment.
Classification of fire Investigation
1. Natural
2. Accidental
3. Unknown origin
4. Suspicious
5. Incendiary (obvious arson)
Incendiary fire
This is the largest and most obvious fire investigated. The primordial intent is to destroy property/ ies of another.
Under the law, arson is the malicious burning of dwelling, house, or building of another. Fire has its causes and effects
and the cause is called as combustion. The expertise of the forensic chemist is necessary in the conduct of examination to
determine whether the fire is of natural cause or maliciously done.
Combustion
is a burning reaction in which a substance combines with a gas. Heat and light usually accompanied by combustion
reaction and most of this reaction involve oxygen.
Two types of combustion
1. Flaming – destructive gaseous combustion where both the fuel and oxidizer are gases. Flaming fire is achieved when gas or
vapor is continuously burning.
2. Glowing- absence of fire but presence of very hot materials on surface of which combustion is proceeding.
Kinds of combustion
a. Completed combustion- all of the reactants are consumed
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
b. Incomplete combustion –only some parts of the reactant are consumed
Color temperature of Incandescent hot object (Glowing fire)
Dark red -500 to 600deg C
Dull red- 600-800deg C
Bright cherry red – 800-1000deg C
Orange -1000-1200deg C
Bright yellow-1200-1400deg C
White-1400-1600deg C
Fire Triangle
Fuel
Heat
Oxidant
Explosive Triangle
Fuel
Ignition
Oxidant
Causes of fire
A fire maybe produce by produce intentionally or accidentally. One of the methods of proving the commission of arson is
to determine systematically the presence of malice and intent in burning the property of another.
Natural Cause – example (Sunrays,Lighting)
Indication of Arson Fire -
1. Burning faster and larger than normal
2. Often having multiple points of origin
3. Use of accelerants
4. A time delay device ( matches and cigarette is a 22 minute fuse)
5. Cans and containers are usually found at the crime scene.
What is the application of heat to a fire investigation?
It is applied for igniting fire, apply for increasing rate of chemical reaction and heat transfer.
Heat transfer by;
a. Conduction- heat transfer by contact between moving molecules form hot to cold areas.
b. Convection -distribution of heat by circulating medium
c. Radiation – it aids fire to spread and promotes ignition of other fuels.
Tool Marks
Tool marks are important in crime scene investigation because you can tell what kind of tool was used, and by that you
can see if the suspect’s tools match the tool marks.
In the crime scene tool marks are usually discovered on windows, doors or other openings used as the entry and exit of
criminals. In the investigation process in the crime scene attention is always focused on broken, forced or cut lock and the
immediate area surrounding these fastenings. Entire area or the crimes scene and the vicinity must be search thoroughly as the
hope to discover any tool marks used for the commission.
The Investigating officer is possible must submit the whole object containing tool marks to the laboratory. If some of the
evidence are not possible carefully do a photograph and sketch the area containing the mark.
In casting for the tool marks it must be done by a person with experience. Poor cast will be useless for comparison
purposes and some marks will be damaged if improper methods are used.
What is tool marks?
Ans: Tool mark defined as any impression, cut, scratches, gouge or abrasion, or any other marking left on an object by another
harder object or instrument. A tool mark may classified as a negative impression, as an abrasion or friction type mark or as a
combination of the two.
Negative impression –is made when a tool is pressed against or into a receiving surface. This type or mark is usually made when
a crowbar is used to pry open a door or a window.
Abrasion or friction mark- is made when a tool cuts into o slide across a surface. This type or mark may be made by a pair of pliers,
a bolt cutter, knife, ax, saw, drill, plane, or a die used in the manufacture of wire.
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Combination mark- is made, for example, when a crowbar is forcefully inserted into the space between a door and the door facing
and pressure is applied to the handle of the tool to force the door open. The forceful insertation of the crowbar produces an
abrasion or friction mark and the levering action produces a negative impression.
Information a tool mark can provide
The type of tool
Shape of the cutting edge of a blade
Blade width
Color of the tool ( based on the paint transfer from the tool )
Class characteristics
Unique identifying marks
What are the uses of Tool Marks Evidence?
Link a person who used the tool in the commission of the crime, or some other acts material to the commission of the crime.
Establish whether a given tool or weapon found at the crime scene has made a mark that is material to the crime;
Establish a connection between similar evidence discovered in a series of crimes.
Determine whether a door or window was forced open from the inside or outside;
Compare a tool mark from a crime scene with a tool mark found on the property, equipment, or vehicle of a suspect; and
facilitate and narrow the search for a given tool or weapon
How to preserve and pack tools?
In packing to object containing tool marks in order that there will be no alteration or damage will occur during shipment.
-Small objects should be wrapped with clean paper and placed in envelopes or boxes, while important areas or larger objects can
be protected with paper.
-Whole, large objects can be protected with paper.
-Whole large objects can be packed in cartons crates, if not delivered in person.
Restoration of Tampered Serial Number
In criminal investigation, the branch of science known as metallurgy will, in most instances be of great help in the solution
of problems involving pieces of metal or, metal particles.
Example of this type of investigative work are robbery, arson, murder, kidnapping, hit- and –run, counterfeiting and
tampering of serial numbers of engine and chassis numbers of vehicle and firearms.
The principle involved in the restoration of serial number is when a number or any mark is tampered on a metal, the
crystalline structure of the metal in the neighborhood of the stamped is disturbed. The disturbance penetrate to an appreciable
distance into the substance of the metal nut is not visible to the naked eye, once the actual indention caused by a punch have
been removed.
Types of number
1. Stamped number: number that is pressed or punched into a metal surface.
2. Engraved number: number that is pressed intendedly using electrical or mechanical gadget.
3. Embossed number: number that is raised from the surface.
Preliminary Examination in number restoration
1. A careful search for the location of the serial number must be made before the start of the restoration process.
2. Grease and oil must be removed using gasoline, alcohol, etc.
3. Clean or polish the area using sandpaper
4. Photograph the affected area.
However, when etching fluid are applied to this surface, the disturbed or strained particles of the metal differ in the rate
of solubility than those of the undisturbed particles and this difference in solubility makes it possible, in many cases, to restore the
numbers to such an extent that they can be read and photographed.
Activity: Restoration of the Tampered Serial Number
Materials:
1. Metallic object with serial numbers
2. Etching solution
Solution: 1 conc. Hydrocholoric acid (HCI)= 80.0ml;opper chloride (CuCI2)= 12.9grams
Alcohol=50.0ml
Dissolved in 60.0ml distilled water
Solution No. 2=15%nitric acid (HNO3)
3. Sandpaper (fine and coarse)
4. Cotton
5. Forcep
6. Petrol or turpentine
Procedure
1. Clean well the surface of the metal with petrol or turpentine or alcohol and carefully examine for evidence of
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
filing or grinding
2. Photograph and stencil the tampered serial number using pencil
3. Polish the tampered serial number with fine sandpaper.
4. With the aid of cotton apply solution 1 by swabbing. Dry with cotton and apply solution 2.
5. Alternate the swabbing until the number appears.
6. Photograph and stencil the restored serial number.
V. Enrichment Activities/Outputs
1. Discuss the how arson being committed and unlawful.
2. Explain tool marks being acquired by any object.
3. Determine different type of serial number through laboratory activity.
4. Restore and identified the tampered serial number through laboratory activity.
Criteria:
Relevancy 5 points
Timeliness 5 points
Organization of ideas 5 points
Individual Overview 5 points
TOTAL -------------------------20 points
[Link]
Dascil .A, (2021) Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, Quezon, Manila, Wiseman’ Books Traidig,Inc.
Francisco M., (2018), Handbook/ Manual in Forensic Chemistry, Quezon, Manila ,Wiseman’ Books Traidig,Inc.
Osita, Marlon B. (2026) Module 5 in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Yadav M., Tiwari A. (2017) Forensic toxicology and its relevance with criminal justice delivery system in India
[Link]
[Link]
Toxicology History [Link]
science/forensictoxicology#:~:text=Basic%20concepts%20of%20forensic%20toxicology&text=Therefore%2C
%20it%20can%20be%20defined,analytical%20chemistry%20and%20fundamental%20toxicology.
----End of Module 4, Lesson 1----