Forensic Case and Forensic Scientist

The Problem: Unexplained Death Investigation

• Incident: 911 call after husband finds wife, Gloria, dead at home. No blood at scene. A glass with liquid and an antifreeze bottle (ethylene glycol) in the laundry room are key initial clues, posing the question of cause of death and substance involvement.

Problem Solving: Forensic Science Approach

• Evidence: Samples sent to the lab include the glass, liquid, bottle, Gloria's stomach contents, blood, and fingerprints.
• Forensic Scientist's Role: Conduct chemical tests on bodily fluids, tissues, and evidence to identify and quantify toxic compounds (e.g., ethylene glycol, drugs, alcohol, metals, gases). Data like Gloria’s height (1.673 \,\mathrm{m}) and mass (60.5 \,\mathrm{kg}) are also noted.
• Outcome: Determine the presence and levels of toxic compounds to help reconstruct surrounding events.