Science-related career report: Forensic Analyst

 Science-related career report: Forensic Analyst 

How is it related to organic chemistry? 

• A forensic analyst typically has an educational background in the science field and is trained in organic chemistry. This allows forensic analysts to conduct and analyze evidence such as blood and body samples to identify DNA and run screenings in which organic chemistry is used.

Job duties:

• A forensic analyst has several duties depending on the related criminal investigation being conducted, as well as whether or not they generalize in the field or are specialized in specific areas and techniques. A forensic analyst is a scientist who typically works alongside criminal investigations and helps in uncovering criminal acts through the use of science. Forensic analysts typically work in crime labs where they conduct tests and examine evidence to help identify key elements, suspects and data to help solve criminal investigations. The most typical job duties of a forensic analyst include;

• Examining and analyzing crime scene evidence.

• Visiting crime scenes and collecting field tests and data.

• Testifying during trials and court cases.

• Preparing detailed reports on findings and graphing data.

• Typically forensic analysts spend most of their time working in a laboratory where they conduct more common job duties such as:

• Performing and analyzing chemical and biological analyses 

• Making links between criminal suspects and biological data collected and its results

• Consulting with other specialized fields such as toxicology and working together to analyze data and come to conclusions

Skillsets:

• All forensic analysts must be successful in displaying the needed qualifying skill sets to obtain the job. It is important to have such skill sets because this will allow for criminal investigations to proceed smoothly and properly without any mistakes that can lead to cases and trials being dismissed or suspects being wrongly prosecuted. The skill sets required to become a forensic analyst include;

• Demonstrates knowledge on proper laboratory procedures which include handling of evidence, cleaning of equipment, proper use of equipment to examine evidence etc.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Efficiency and time management 

• Analytical skills

• Confidentially 

• Carefulness 

• Strong research skills

Personality/Aptitude requirements:

• To be a successful forensic analyst it’s important to have a personality and aptitude that is capable of fulfilling the duties of the job. Some key personality traits that contribute to being successful as a forensic analyst include:

• Strong-willed, oftentimes a forensic analyst is conducting experiments and collecting data from crime scenes in which can be gruesome and difficult to research on. Therefore it is important that a forensic analyst stays mentally strong and is not overly bothered by the crime scene and the events that occurred leading up to the event. This personality trait is important as it will allow for experiments and data to be conducted without any emotions getting in the way which can hinder the efficiency of data collection in a laboratory.

• Hardworking, a forensic analyst must be hard working to ensure that all experiments and data is collected promptly to proceed faster with criminal investigations.

• Observant, a forensic analyst must be observant when at a crime scene or in the laboratory or when displaying data. It is crucial because this will allow for all data and results to be accurate for the investigation to proceed smoothly without any errors and in the event of a court hearing or trial, the data displayed on the reports are accurate and can be easily understood by members of the juror.

• Critical thinker, one very important qualification for becoming a forensic analyst is that they can conclude with the data in front of them. One must have the personality and attitude of a critical thinker to connect data to potential suspects.

Potential Employers:

• A forensic analyst can work for a variety of people or organizations. These include but are not limited to local municipalities, provincial governments, law-enforcement agencies, crime labs, coroners offices, hospitals etc.

Education Requirements:

• Depending on where one lives, there are different requirements needed for becoming a forensic analyst. Typically, the minimum requirement to be considered during the hiring process is a bachelor's degree in which it is advised that one has majored in a science field such as chemistry, physics or biology. It’s also important that forensic analysts have an educational background relating to verbal and written communication that enhances one's skills, as it is vital for a forensic analyst to convey and easily explain findings to members of the police force, jurors and others who do not have a background relating to the sciences fields.  

The program required to be qualified:

• It is often required that a forensic analyst must at least have a four-year bachelor of science degree or a master's degree in a science field.

Salary Range:

• The salary is different for many forensic analysts depending on where they work and whether or not they are specialized in specific fields. Although a typical salary for a forensic analyst starts from $50,000-$90,000 a year and can even go up to $100,000 a year depending on what position you’re in within the department.

Environment Research Questions

 How has the use of hazardous organic compounds in daily life and the discovery of the negative long term side effects and impacts on human health and the environment, led to new rules and regulations in our society?

Throughout the past century, numerous chemicals and compounds we're discovered and created and we're used by the public for a diversification of purposes. With the creation of new compounds and their distinct properties emerging led to the huge advancement in terms of consumer product goods. Many of the compounds that were discovered were put into consumer products without any extensive research into the possible harmful effects of the product. They were then purchased by the public and then often disposed of improperly due to a lack of proper labelling and disposal instructions. Over time, the negative impacts of such products began to show. For example, Micheal Faraday was one of the first people to isolate and identify benzene from a mixture of oils. One of the first uses of benzene was as an aftershave. It was also used to decaffeinate coffee and was used as an anti-knock additive in gasoline. Since its creation, testing has identified benzene as a carcinogen and many of its commercial uses have been discontinued. The discovery of these negative adverse effects from certain chemicals has fortunately led to various laws and regulations being imposed regarding chemicals and their uses. Now, through the use of technology, scientists are now capable of determining the possible side effects of chemicals on human health and the environment with more accuracy and have allowed for the implementation of regulations to prevent specific chemicals from being used in consumer goods. Currently, most products that contain chemicals that have negative effects are clearly labelled and marked and have directions on proper usage and disposal. When reflecting back on the past, it's evident that there was little to no knowledge of the negative impacts of the chemicals being put into consumer products and very little labelling and direction on how to use and dispose of products. Now, new rules and regulations are implemented everywhere in regards to chemicals and have led to a safer society and environment.

Research Issue: Many Ontario communities have banned the use of pesticides. As a consequence of these bylaws, many homeowners are seeking alternative ways of controlling weeds in their laws. Research and report on this issue.

The purpose of pesticides is to control various pests and disease carriers as specific pests can contribute to asthma and allergies and can carry diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Pests can also do harm to vegetation, housing and much more. Since Ontario has lots of mosquitos, ticks and other pests, it's important that homeowners protect themselves against such. However, many communities in Ontario have banned the use of pesticides due to the negative adverse effects it has on human health. Pesticides have been shown to cause rashes, blisters, blindness, cancer, birth defects, neurological and developmental toxicity and many other serious negative health effects. Since the use of pesticides has been banned in certain communities, homeowners have found new ways to limit the number of pests around the home without using such a toxic product. Such ways include:

• Implementation of barriers & repellents. Homeowners are now using barriers and spraying repellents that are organic such as spearmint to help deter insects.

• Biological pest control. Some homeowners are using specific soils that naturally grow bacteria that specific pests don't like.

• Implementation of new insects. Homeowners are adding in new insects around their home such as lady beetles and praying mantis which prey on other garden pests.

As shown above, Ontario homeowners have discovered new ways of controlling pests without the use of dangerous chemicals that can lead to dangerous health and environmental effects that are irreversible.

Contribution of a scientist: Emil Fischer

 Emil Fischer is a German chemist who has contributed numerous ideas and methods to the field of organic chemistry. Fischer is known for his creation of the Fischer indole synthesis, the Fischer oxazole synthesis and the Fisher esterification. Fischer also discovered the structure of glucose and involved himself in the thorough investigations of the sugar and purine groups of substances. One of Fischer’s most known contributions to science was his study done on the establishment of the chemical structure and configuration of glucose, galactose, fructose and sorbose. Through his research, Fischer discovered that the sugars were spatial isomers and with that information and using osanone derivatives, Fischer was able to differentiate and synthesize nine of the predicted isomers. Through the conducted research of sugars, Fischer then moved onto the study of enzymes and proteins where he discovered the structure of enzymes and protein and the different types of bonds that hold the molecules together. All of Fischer’s contributions to science have allowed other sciences the capability to better understand sugars and how they are composed. Fischer’s contributions led him to be the recipient of numerous awards including the Nobel prize for chemistry.

Contribution of a Canadian scientist: Henry Taube

 Henry Taube is a Canadian scientist who contributed his ideas from organic chemistry into inorganic chemistry. Taube investigated how electron transfer occurs in chemical reactions. His findings have helped explain and understand why certain reactions produce colors, this discovery also led to him uncovering the basis of how oxygen fuels chemical reactions. Furthermore, Taube also discovered a technique in developing a way of determining the properties of a molecule through the electron configuration of it. He also discovered that in an immediate stage of any reaction an ion must bond to a ligand which can then break and affect the electron transfer. All the discoveries and experiments he created led him to be the recipient of numerous honors throughout his lifetime. His contributions to science awarded him with two Guggenheim fellowships, a national medal of science and the winner of the Nobel prize and much more.

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineers work with nuclear energy to figure out the safest way to produce nuclear reactions to find its potential. Most nuclear engineers work in the power industry. They design power plants and the nuclear reaction to convert to electricity. They also upkeep and repair the plant as needed. Some engineers monitor and process uranium and dispose of these materials safely. Some also work in food production to irradiated impure elements, while others work in health care where they design designostic equipment and study other medical uses for radiation.Nuclear Engineers usually work at power companies, medical equipment companies, engineer firms, government agencies, universities and the military. They earn between 45,000 and 200,000 dollars a year with a typical salary of 75,000 dollars. Factors depend on expertise, location, employer, and if they are in a senior position. There are public and private sectors in this industry. To become a nuclear engineer, there is a need of at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering. You could have any bachelors of engineering, but must take related course to nuclear engineering. You could also have a masters to a PhD. But a necessity is to be registered as a professional engineer.

Career Cruising. (n.d.). Career Cruising. Retrieved December 1, 2020, from

https://www2.careercruising.com/default?e=1&r=/careers/profile-at-a-glance/638

Glenn Seaborg, a man of science

Glenn Seaborg started his career by getting a PhD from Berkeley at the University of California. In 1961, Seaborg was appointed as the first advisory committee for the atomic energy commission by President Truman, until 1968. From 1941-46 Seaborg headed the plutonium work on the Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago. He was a co-discoverer of plutonium and transuranium elements until element 102. Also, Seaborg and his colleagues are responsible for the identification of hundreds of isotopes throughout the periodic table. He also discovered the relationship between the transition metals and lanthanides. For all of his work including being the author of hundreds of papers and books on chemistry and elements, he has accumulated many awards and honours over his lifetime. In 1947 he received the American Chemical Award in Pure Chemistry, Perkin Medal of the American Section of the Society of Chemical Industry (1957), Atomic Energy Commission's Enrico Fermi Award for his work in nuclear chemistry and leadership (1959), and many more. He was also an honorary fellow to many institutes in America. He also has many honorary degrees from a list of universities and colleges. His favourite hobby is Golf. 

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1951. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1951/seaborg/biographical/

Artificial intelligence, particle sensors, nitrogen catalyst, scallops, Methanol fueled beetles

  Artificial Intelligence has learned to estimate oil viscosity

Skoltech scientists from the University of Calgary (Canada) and Caltin University (Australia), developed machine learning algorithms to teach an AI to determine oil viscosity based on nuclear magnetic resonance. This could be potentially very useful in the petroleum industry or sectors of industry that need to characterize substances. These industries include the food industry to test the quality of the fruit or in agriculture to test the quality of soil in large amounts. Standard assessments to find oil viscosity is very expensive and time consuming. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) determines properties based on the electromagnetic energy absorbed and emitted. The AI is trained on NMR data from different sets of data from Canada to the United States to provide accurate predictions of viscosity. Dmitry Koroteev, a professor at the Skoltech Center for Hydrocarbon Recovery, said that this method is more efficient than the old way of doing it. He says that it’s interesting the high accuracy of the models on extra-heavy oil and bitumen samples because of the complex chemical composition. 

Artificial Intelligence has learned to estimate oil viscosity. (2020, November 9). Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1168562/artificial-intelligence-has-learned-to-estimate-oil-viscosity.html

                 The smallest particle sensor in the world

This small 12 by 9 by 3 millimeter device is an innovative piece of technology that detects air quality of ambient air in real time and puts out an alarm when dust values significantly increase. This tiny piece of technology can be put inside a phone or a watch. The particle sensor was developed by Paul Maierhofer as part of his dissertation at the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems at Graz University of Technology. He had help from experts in semiconductors and researchers from Silicon Austria Labs. The method they used to build this sensor is common but what makes it amazing is the size of this tech.  This new piece of technology is a great innovation to secure the health  of many. Over 400,00 people die a year prematurely in Europe because of particulate matter pollution. This could help people with specific conditions that relate to sense of smell, compromised immune systems to adapt and go to and avoid certain places. This particle sensor could make people more cognizant of their actions that result in such particulate matter pollution.

Technological innovation: The smallest particle sensor in the world. (2020, September 25). Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1168073/technological-innovation-the-smallest-particle-sensor-in-the-world.html

How nitrogen is transferred by a catalyst

One of the main goals of catalysis is the selective control of the chemical transformation, which is true for reactive complex molecules. Inserting a nitrogen molecule inside a carbon-hydrogen bond has been theoretical and made true through quantum-chemical computer simulation with individual nitrogen atoms bonded to metal. Through experimental and theoretical studies the exploitation of catalytic nitrogen atom transfer reaction has begun. Chemists from Amsterdam, have been able to observe and measure the spectroscopy of metallonitrene and provide quantum-chemical characterizations. A platinum azide was transformed and examined by electrometric and  photo-crystallography. This provided a report on the reactivity of a metallonitrene with a metal-nitrogen bond. Furthermore they observed the structure and oddities of the platinum metallonitrene to see that it allows a nitrogen atom to be inserted into C-H bonds of other molecules. This research contributes to the understanding of chemical bonding and reactivity of complex metals, with synthesis planning. This reaction of insertion by catalyst contributes to the development of green syntheses of nitrogen compounds. 

Goethe University Frankfurt. (2020, November 13). Chemistry: How nitrogen is transferred by a catalyst: Chemists characterize key compound for catalytic nitrogen atom transfer. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 17, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201113105825.htm

Metal pollution in British waters may be threatening scallops

Due to contamination of seabed sediments with zinc, lead and copper, from mining, its causality is the shells of king scallops becoming significantly more brittle. This causes imbalance in the ecosystem by killing species that is responsible for water filtration and other jobs. The authors consider that the accepted metal pollution should be revised. Over a period of 13 years, researchers compared scallops from six areas in the Irish sea around the Isle of Man. Analysis revealed that one area had a significantly more brittle with a mineralization disrupted shell for the molluscs, then the other areas. This causes a high mortality rate for the species. They are not quite sure how the sediments are affecting shell formation but they hypothesize that the metals could be in the shells replacing calcium during a process called biomineralization. They also hypothesize that the metals could be modifying the activity of proteins during the crystallization process. 

University of York. (2020, November 5). Metal pollution in British waters may be threatening scallops, study reveals. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 1, 2020 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201105112938.htm

Methanol fuel gives this tiny beetle bot the freedom to roam

The creation of this beetle bot could be the future. Scientists envision insect bots could be used to assist search and rescue missions. This sounds very much like a comic book villain. But who would have thought this could actually be a reality. This beetle is powered by methanol and packs more than 10 times more energy than batteries. To make the robot move, researchers coated a nickel-titanium wire with platinum. Then this wire heats up it contracts and when cooled it extends. The platinum coating allows the methanol vapor to combust. The varying temperatures in the accordion like ‘muscles’ allows motion to occur, by moving forward only. In the future they are hoping they will be able to control the movements of these insect bots so that they could potentially fly and run.

Drahl, C. (2020, August 28). Methanol fuel gives this tiny beetle bot the freedom to roam. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/methanol-fuel-beetle-robot