Center of Analysis for Forensic Science
1. What is a narcotic drug?
Medically, a narcotic drug is any drug that produces sleep or stupor and also relieves pain. Legally, the term means any drug listed under the Malaysian DDA 1952 (Dangerous Drug Act 1952).
2. What are psychotropic substances?
“Psychotropic substances” are any natural or synthetic drug or agent affecting the mind or mental processes (i.e. any psychoactive drug).
3. What are designer drugs?
“Designer drugs” are substances chemically related to but slightly different from controlled substances. They are designed by clandestine chemists with the aim to manufacture compounds that produce “the high” or euphoria of parent drugs and avoid the penalties that would be levied against those illegally trafficking the controlled substances. The most common examples are “designermfetamines” (e.gmethylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA),3,4- methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA), N-ethyl methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDE)).
4. Which types of drug cases are referred to the narcotics section?
The drug cases referred to narcotics section involve any samples of drugs or poisons listed in the Dangerous Drug Act (DDA) 1952 and the Poisons Act 1952.
5. What is the penalty for drug trafficking and possession in Malaysia?
According to the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, whoever is arrested with seized controlled substances as below will be sentenced to the mandatory death sentence (section 39B).
For those arrested with seized controlled substances as below will be sentenced to imprisonment of not less than two years but not exceeding five years and not less than three strokes of the rotan, but not more than nine strokes of the rotan (section 39A1).
For those arrested with seized controlled substances as below will be sentenced to life imprisonment or to a term of not less than five years and not less than ten strokes of the rotan (section 39A2).
For those arrested with seized controlled substances as below will be sentenced to possession imprisonment(section 12).
1. What is Toxicology?
Toxicology is a scientific field of study of ‘poisons’; it mainly focuses on the advers effects of chemicals on living organisms. Toxicology includes the study of mechanisms, treatment and detection of poisons.
2. What is a ‘poison’?
A poison is any substance that causes harmful effects when administered either by accident or design to a living organism. The right dose differentiates a poison’ and a remedy. A substance is considered to be practically non-toxic (i.e.: non poisonous) when an amount > 15 g/kg is required to cause harm andsupertoxic when < 5 mg/kg is required to cause harm to the living organism.
3. Why do we choose vitreous humour for alcohol analysis in post-mortem cases?
Because of its location, the vitreous humour is protected from microbial activities that could give rise to the endogeneous formation of ethyl alcohol.
4. What is the legal limit of alcohol in the blood?
The legal limit is 0.08% (w/v) or 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. A person having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) higher than 0.08% is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
5. How can I sober up after drinking?
People would assume that exercising, drinking more water or coffee and eating are viable ways to reduce the level of alcohol in the blood. In fact, nothing sobers up a drinker except time.
1. How does the DNA evidence prove if a person is innocent or guilty?
The Forensic DNA scientist’s task is only to find the match between an unknown DNA profile retrieved from crime scene against known reference samples. However, the match between DNA profiles alone cannot prove whether or not a person is guilty for a convicted crime but instead should be used together with other evidence.
2. Can highly degraded samples such as bone and hair used for analysis of DNA profiling?
Yes, DNA can be found in bone and hair even in highly decomposed bodies.
3. Can DNA test identify the sex of a person?
Yes.
4. How long does it take to complete a DNA paternity test?
1 to 2 weeks.
5. Can a paternity test be performed for an unborn baby?
A paternity test can be performed but sample collection will be a risky procedure.
6. Who should collect blood meant for DNA analysis?
Medical officers in government and private hospitals/clinics can take blood samples meant for DNA analysis.
7. How should a blood sample be preserved for DNA analysis?
No preservation is required if the sample is submitted within 24 hours. However, if there is a delay, the sample should be kept frozen until submission.
8. What other samples can be used apart from blood samples, for DNA paternity testing?
Alternatively buccal swabs can be used. A buccal swab is obtained by rubbing a clean cotton bud on the inner lining of the cheek.
9. How can samples be sent to Kimia Malaysia for DNA analysis?
Samples can be sent to Kimia Malaysia for analysis either by hand or by courier service.
1. What is trace evidence?
Typical trace evidence includes hairs, fibers, paint, soil and other materials which can be easily transferred from one object/individual to another.
2. Is it possible to ascertain whether a person has discharged a firearm?
Yes, through detection of gunshot residue (GSR) on hand and clothing of the person.
3. How do you determine that the bullet found at a crime scene (evidence bullet) was fired by a particular suspected weapon?
This can be determined by comparing the characteristic marks on the evidence bullet with those on test-fired bullets by the firearms examiner using the suspect weapon.
4. Is the location of the chassis and engine numbers the same for every type of motor vehicles?
No. Each vehicle has a different location of chassis and engine numbers. Even the formation of the numbers and letters are different, depending on the make and model of the car.
5. Does the Criminalistics Section provide services for fingerprint examination?
No, the Section does not provide fingerprint identification services. In Malaysia, fingerprint evidence is handled by the police.
1. What is trace evidence?
Typical trace evidence includes hairs, fibers, paint, soil and other materials which can be easily transferred from one object/individual to another.
2. Is it possible to ascertain whether a person has discharged a firearm?
Yes, through detection of gunshot residue (GSR) on hand and clothing of the person.
3. How do you determine that the bullet found at a crime scene (evidence bullet) was fired by a particular suspected weapon?
This can be determined by comparing the characteristic marks on the evidence bullet with those on test-fired bullets by the firearms examiner using the suspect weapon.
4. Is the location of the chassis and engine numbers the same for every type of motor vehicles?
No. Each vehicle has a different location of chassis and engine numbers. Even the formation of the numbers and letters are different, depending on the make and model of the car.
5. Does the Criminalistics Section provide services for fingerprint examination?
No, the Section does not provide fingerprint identification services. In Malaysia, fingerprint evidence is handled by the police.
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