Inside Science is a secondary science series following the success of Scientific Eye and Science in Focus. Inside Science explains the key chemistry-based forensic tests which were pivotal in solving two recent murders. 10-year-old Damilola Taylor was attacked by a gang and died after receiving a fatal leg wound from a broken bottle. A young woman, Chantel Taylor, was murdered. Her body was never found. We look at the role which a GCMS (Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer) played in establishing the cause of Ms Taylor's death. In the case of Damilola Taylor, the lead forensic scientist in the re-examination of evidence explains the techniques which uncovered new evidence which led to convictions, and the principles of DNA profiling. We explain highly sensitive chemical screening techniques which are used at crime scenes and in the labs to help investigators identify miniscule traces of blood - the Kastle Meyer test and the use of Luminol.

Video Series: Inside Science
Release Date 2009