Forensic Chemistry Final Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2026/2027
T/F: acid phosphatase is an enzyme present at low concentrations within seminal fluid -
Answers False; high concentrations
T/F: as a standard practice, 25% of all evidence samples must be reserved should the defense
request access - Answers False; 50%
T/F: wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional. shorter wavelengths approach the
infrared region of the spectrum - Answers False; infrared is longer
T/F: polar covalent bonds are IR active. the energy released by their vibration can be observed in
an IR spectrum - Answers True
T/F: esters, ketones, amides and carboxylic acids all contain carbonyl groups which absorb IR
radiation within the mid-IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum - Answers True
which color of the visible spectrum has the lowest frequency (longest wavelength) - Answers
red
UV/Vis spectroscopy covers which of the following wavelengths within the electromagnetic
spectrum? - Answers 175-800nm
the photons of which source have the lowest amount of energy?
-microwaves
-infrared waves
-radio waves
-gamma rays
-visible light waves - Answers radio waves
patterns associated with which of the following inorganic species can be used to determine the
muzzle to target distance in shooting cases? - Answers NO2, Nitrites
while using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, how do forensic scientists take advantage of electron
excitation following the absorption of ultraviolet or visible light? - Answers we measure the light
produced by the subsequent electronic relaxation
copper residues generated from the discharge of a firearm are soluble in: - Answers 10%
Ammonium Hydroxide
name the peroxidase-like protein in blood which allows for its detection via colorimetric testing -
Answers Hb
, best approach for an IR analysis with a limited quantity sample - Answers DRIFTS
ester - Answers R-C=O-O-R -oate
amide - Answers R-C=O-NH2 -amide
carboxylic acid - Answers R-C=O-OH -oic acid
T/F: column efficiency decreases as the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP)
increases - Answers True
T/F: the determination of peak area is more accurate than the determination of peak height for
the quantitation of an analyte of interest - Answers True
T/F: isocratic elution refers to the use of one solvent percentage over the course of a liquid
chromatographic separation - Answers True
T/F: following flash vaporization, condensation of the gaseous sample occurs in the stationary
phase - Answers True
ionization of a compound increases its __ and decreases its __ - Answers hydrophilicity,
lipophilicity
describe one disadvantage of SPME - Answers the fiber can be easily overloaded
name the process for converting a molecule into a form that is more amenable for gas phase
analysis - Answers derivitization
the development of UPLC technology was ultimately possible due to advancements in: -
Answers advancements in stationary phase particle diameters of sub-2 micron
what are the two major types of detectors used in LC - Answers bulk property and solute
property
describe the order to perform the isolation of an analyte by SPE - Answers rinse column to
condition it, load sample onto column, alter the pH of the system/add solvents, elute target
analytes with different solvents and collect the fractions
what is the purpose of a Van Deemter plot? - Answers to determine optimal mobile phase
velocity for minimal plate height
T/F: a radical cation is a species with an unpaired electron that is positively charged - Answers
True
T/F: ESI and APCI, two ionization techniques routinely interfaced to LC-MS, can result in multiply
charged species - Answers False; APCI does not result in multiply charged species
T/F: tandem mass spec can be accomplished utilizing a triple quadrupole mass analyzer or by
T/F: acid phosphatase is an enzyme present at low concentrations within seminal fluid -
Answers False; high concentrations
T/F: as a standard practice, 25% of all evidence samples must be reserved should the defense
request access - Answers False; 50%
T/F: wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional. shorter wavelengths approach the
infrared region of the spectrum - Answers False; infrared is longer
T/F: polar covalent bonds are IR active. the energy released by their vibration can be observed in
an IR spectrum - Answers True
T/F: esters, ketones, amides and carboxylic acids all contain carbonyl groups which absorb IR
radiation within the mid-IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum - Answers True
which color of the visible spectrum has the lowest frequency (longest wavelength) - Answers
red
UV/Vis spectroscopy covers which of the following wavelengths within the electromagnetic
spectrum? - Answers 175-800nm
the photons of which source have the lowest amount of energy?
-microwaves
-infrared waves
-radio waves
-gamma rays
-visible light waves - Answers radio waves
patterns associated with which of the following inorganic species can be used to determine the
muzzle to target distance in shooting cases? - Answers NO2, Nitrites
while using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, how do forensic scientists take advantage of electron
excitation following the absorption of ultraviolet or visible light? - Answers we measure the light
produced by the subsequent electronic relaxation
copper residues generated from the discharge of a firearm are soluble in: - Answers 10%
Ammonium Hydroxide
name the peroxidase-like protein in blood which allows for its detection via colorimetric testing -
Answers Hb
, best approach for an IR analysis with a limited quantity sample - Answers DRIFTS
ester - Answers R-C=O-O-R -oate
amide - Answers R-C=O-NH2 -amide
carboxylic acid - Answers R-C=O-OH -oic acid
T/F: column efficiency decreases as the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP)
increases - Answers True
T/F: the determination of peak area is more accurate than the determination of peak height for
the quantitation of an analyte of interest - Answers True
T/F: isocratic elution refers to the use of one solvent percentage over the course of a liquid
chromatographic separation - Answers True
T/F: following flash vaporization, condensation of the gaseous sample occurs in the stationary
phase - Answers True
ionization of a compound increases its __ and decreases its __ - Answers hydrophilicity,
lipophilicity
describe one disadvantage of SPME - Answers the fiber can be easily overloaded
name the process for converting a molecule into a form that is more amenable for gas phase
analysis - Answers derivitization
the development of UPLC technology was ultimately possible due to advancements in: -
Answers advancements in stationary phase particle diameters of sub-2 micron
what are the two major types of detectors used in LC - Answers bulk property and solute
property
describe the order to perform the isolation of an analyte by SPE - Answers rinse column to
condition it, load sample onto column, alter the pH of the system/add solvents, elute target
analytes with different solvents and collect the fractions
what is the purpose of a Van Deemter plot? - Answers to determine optimal mobile phase
velocity for minimal plate height
T/F: a radical cation is a species with an unpaired electron that is positively charged - Answers
True
T/F: ESI and APCI, two ionization techniques routinely interfaced to LC-MS, can result in multiply
charged species - Answers False; APCI does not result in multiply charged species
T/F: tandem mass spec can be accomplished utilizing a triple quadrupole mass analyzer or by
