Spectroscopy is a measurement of light absorbed or emitted by a material when a beam of electromagnetic radiation is passed through it. Absorption and Emission depend on the constituent of the material. Different substance absorbs and emit radiation at different wavelength or frequency, which makes electromagnetic spectrum obtained unique for each substance. This helps in identification of the unknown substance being detected. In forensic science, UV- visible spectroscopy is used for the detection of drugs, poison and other substances.
Distillation is technique used for separation of component of a mixture of liquids depending on their boiling points. In this technique, liquid is heated, and gain condensed for purification purpose. Different liquids have varying boiling points. When the liquid travel from one end to other, they are heated at increasing temperatures. When one component of mixture of liquid starts to vaporise, they are then condensed and collected in a container. In the same way, when temperature is increased, other component of mixture starts to vaporise, and this continues. All the components are collected separately.
Water bath is an equipment found in laboratory to maintain a constant temperature for an experiment for a long range of time. It is mostly preferred that open source of heating as it reduces the risk of ignition and breaking of container. In open flame, the temperature varies but in water bath, temperature is remains constant which is required for conducting many experiments in the laboratory.
Hot air oven is an important instrument in all the laboratories as it provide an environment with high temperature as well as condition of sterilization. It is used in many food and pharma industry to check the stability of different products at different temperatures. In forensic science, hot air oven plays an important role in many analysis method. For example, it is used in development of fingerprint. Also it is used in Thin Layer Chromatography for detection of various pesticides.
ICP-MS is a type of analytical technique that utilises plasma as the source for ionization of sample. The ionized samples are detected by detectors. It is used for the detection of metals. It can also detect some of the non- metals. It can detect trace amounts of metals in different biological fluids including Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn and I. It is highly useful in forensic science as it is more precise, accurate and sensitive technique.
Comparison microscope is the combination of 2 compound microscope which is used for the comparison of different evidence side by side. Comparison microscope was discovered for the comparison of bullets found at the crime scene to know whether the bullets are fired from the same firearm or not. In comparison microscope, 2 bullets can be compared by looking those at the same time side by side.
Analytical balance is a must for all the laboratories as it measures the small weight of the substance required. The least count of electronic analytical balance varies. Analytical balance is required to measure the amount of chemicals and salts required to prepare any solution.
Thermal cycler also known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine and DNA Amplifier. It is 96- welled machine with 96 holes in which PCR mixture is placed to run PCR reaction. Temperature of the cycler keeps on changing. It first increases and then decreases depending on the step of the PCR cycle going on.
DNA Extraction System is an automatic machine for the extraction and isolation of DNA. The complete extraction process occurs in closed container. The condition of the system varies accordingly. It can also be used for the extraction of nucleic acid as per requirements from the contaminants and impurities. It is highly useful in forensic laboratories for extracting DNA in very less time with greater efficiency.
Compound Microscope is used to visualise samples at high magnification clearly. In compound microscope, 2 types of lenses are used- ocular lens which is also known as eyepiece and objective lens. In every field of research, compound microscope is significant. In forensic science, it is used to view fibres, soil particles, paint chips, hairs, and many more sample to get to know about their structure and to find out the contaminants if present.
Centrifuge machine is a necessity for any laboratory. It is a device which used rotatory motion to separate the liquids of different densities. It mainly rotates at high speed. It is also used for the condensation of solid chemicals and their separation from the solvent which comes in the form of supernatant.
Stereo microscope is also known as dissecting microscope has low magnification as compared to comparison microscope. It is mainly used to observe three-dimensional image of any sample to get a better look of the sample. This microscope is used to study the external characteristics of the sample to examine their structure.
Magnetic stirrer is a laboratory device widely used for stirring, spinning, mixing solution. It contains a stationary electromagnet that creates a rotating magnetic field. When a magnet is kept in the container containing solution, magnet starts rotating due to magnetic field which results in stirring and mixing of solution.
Fingerprints are one of the most common occurring evidence at the crime scene. This evidence is mainly left by the criminal at crime scene. In many cases, these prints are not visible to naked eyes and there is a need to make them visible to identify and further work on them. Fingerprint toolkit is an important tool to be carried at the crime scene by the forensic investigator. It contains basic needs for fingerprint development such as fingerprint powders, brush, tape and much more.
Polygraph is a technique that measures certain bodily changes such as rate of perspiration, respiration, heartbeat, and blood pressure when an examiner asks a set of question to the suspected person. These changes occur whenever there is some link between the suspects and question and the change in these physiological indicators are noted down. Though polygraph technique is not admissible in court in India according to article 20(3) of constitution.