Lab 1: Alcohol Testing in Forensic Context
Alcohol testing on site, using a breathalyzer, is a common practice in forensic science. Additionally, alcohol may be analyzed in a laboratory by using methods such as gas chromatography, for testing of blood samples. This labs is focused on the ethanol (alcohol) and is detection in a vapour phase, which mimics the breathalyzer test.
Video
This video (25:37) documents in detail the full process of testing for ethanol vapours as to mimic the alcohol breathalyzer in a forensic context. It begins with setting up the lab and follows through with the process of sample preparation, instrument calibration and testing both standard and unknown samples. The unknown samples are linked to the scenarios within the forensic science context.
Data Sets and Worksheet
Clicking the data set link below will automatically download the Excel spreadsheet to your computer.
Data sets (experimental data) provided include various ethanol concentrations (standard solutions or references): 0, 0.06, 0.08, 0.2, 1.0 % of ethanol in water.
Clicking the worksheet link below will open the worksheet for this lab in a new window. You will then have the option to download the pdf file if you choose to.
