FORENSICS! 2026-27

Event Parameters

Category C eyewear—chemical + splash protection goggles that seal flush to the face, Z87 marking required. May bring writing utensils, a Class III calculator—programmable, graphing/non-graphing (TI84+C works)—an 8.5×11” laminated cheat sheet, and all Chem. Events Lab Equipment. Wear a lab coat, loose-fitting/baggy pants, and have skin covered from neck down + wrists and toes.

Chemistry Events Lab Equipment

Laboratory Basics: 10-100mL graduated cylinders, 50-100mL beakers (+ stirring rods), 10-250mL Erlenmeyer flasks, test tubes (+ brushes, holders, rack), spot plates, Petri dishes, droppers, spatulas/spoons, metal tongs/forceps/tweezers, mechanical calipers, ruler, paper towels. Chemical Analysis: filter paper, funnel, flame loop. Electrolysis: multimeter, Cu/Zn pieces, nail, 9V battery + appropriate conductivity tester, alligator clip wires. Inspection: microscope slides + cover slips, handheld lens. Acidity: pH meter/paper. Thermodynamics: thermometer. Misc: pencil, magnets, Co blue grass, box for equipment.

What will the iodine reagent be?

I₂ dissolved in KI (aq) or a 2% tincture of iodine—which is a concentrated extract of 2% iodine soaked in an alcoholic solvent.

What can the iodine reagent be used for?

QA: Indicator for presence of cornstarch. Sample will turn black if added, but iodine will stay brown if not.

What can the HCl be used for?

QA: HCl will react with CO3, so any evidence of a chemical reaction by adding HCl—e.g., fizzing—means the powder is either Na2CO3, NaHCO3, or CaCO3.

What can NaOH be used for?

What is Benedict’s Solution?

A complex mixture of sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, and copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate. Reagent used for detecting a reducing sugar (e.g., glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose… any sugar with a free aldehyde/ketone group)

What can Benedict’s Solution be used for?

Detecting glucose or NH4Cl. Dissolve comp in water. Add 2-3 drops of BDS, then place in hot water bath. Will produce an orange precipitate if glucose; turns dark blue if NH4Cl.

The Flame Test

Identifies cations and boric acid in our case. Boric acid burns green, Na golden yellow, LiCl red, KCl purple, Ca yellow-red. To perform w/ nichrome wire, dip one tip in distilled water, make a loop, dip loop in dry powder sample, then hold in Bunsen burner flame. Can also use little wooden splint or spatula/scoopula w/ sample on tip. Co blue glass accounts for Na contamination if suspected.

Amount of Evidence at Regionals

3-8 samples for qualitative analysis, 5-9 samples for polymer identification, 1 chromatography type + mass spectra, 1-2 chemistry topics.

Amount of Evidence at State

Amount of Evidence at Nationals

Qualitative Analysis (Powders)

Identify any of the following: NaC2H3O2, NaCl, NaHCO3, Na2CO3, LiCl, KCl, Ca(NO3)2, CaSO4, CaCO3, cornstarch, glucose, sucrose, MgSO4, HBO3, NH4Cl.

Cations in Qualitative Analysis

Na, Li, K, Ca, Mg, NH4, H

Anions in Qualitative Analysis

Acetate C2H3O2, SO4, NO3, BO3, HCO3, CO3, Cl

The Burn Test

Lich test if it burns. If it does, add iodine reagent. If it turns black, it’s cornstarch. If not, then add BDS. If it turns orange, it’s glucose. If still nothing happens, it’s sucrose. If it doesn’t burn, you may also see if it boils/bubbles. If it does, again you have sucrose.

Miscellaneous QA IDs

CaNO3 has red-orange sparkles. CaCO3 will not burn, but will glow bright white. CaSO4 will neither burn nor glow white. A golden yellow flame indicates Na. If it reacts w/ HCl as well, NaHCO3 will have the lower pH than NaCO3. If it doesn’t react w/ HCl, NaCl will have the lower pH than NaC2H3O2. If it conducts, doesn’t pass the flame test, and forms a white PPT w/ NaOH, it’s MgSO4.

Polymers - Plastics