Crime Scene Chemistry Kit

Discover what it is like to be a forensic chemist with this hands-on kit!

Following the scenario and instructions set out in the Crime Scene Chemistry project, you will perform a series of tests to identify an unknown substance discovered in the kitchen of a critically ill elderly lady. Is it a common kitchen ingredient like sugar, salt, or cornstarch? Or will tests reveal that the mystery substance is aspirin—an over-the-counter pain medication that can be toxic at high doses?

The experimental tests included in the kit are easy to perform, safe, reliable, and clearly demonstrate how different chemical properties like color, solubility, and reactiveness are useful during chemical analysis of an unknown substance. This kit is a fun introduction to real-world chemistry!

Instructions for this kit are available online, see below for links to the instructions and more.

More Information

• Safety Information (SDS)

Instructions are available online:  Crime Scene Chemistry Instructions

Each Crime Scene Chemistry kit contains:

• 3 Reaction plate
• 1 Wax pencil
• 1 Powdered aspirin, 5 gm
• 1 Unknown presumed to be sugar, 5 gm
• 1 Unknown presumed to be salt, 5 gm
• 1 Unknown presumed to be cornstarch, 5 gm
• 1 Distilled water, 10 mL
• 1 Sodium Hydroxide 1M, 10 mL
• 1 Ferric nitrate 0.2M, 10 mL
• 1 Lugol's iodine, 5 mL
• 1 SDS sheets
• 1 Pair of Gloves, disposable