Week 71 Forensic Science Geek of the Week is Announced

The Forensic Science Geek of the Week

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The week 71 “www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week” honors goes to: Ron Moore, Esquire

: Ronald Moore, B.S., JD

About our winner according to his website:

Mr. Moore received a BS in Biology from U.C. Riverside in 1988, a JD from Western State University College of Law in 2003, and an AS in Culinary Arts from Saddleback College in 2009.

Ron worked as a Forensic Scientist at the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Forensic Science Services Laboratory from 1989 to 2007. During his tenure at the OC Crime Lab, he worked in Toxicology, Blood and Breath Alcohol, Drug Analysis, Firearm and Toolmark Examination, and Crime Scene Investigation. He completed his time at the lab with18 months supervising the Blood and Breath Alcohol sections. He is very familiar with the Intoxilyzer 5000, Datamaster, and Alco-Sensor IV breath testing instruments used during the years he was with the lab. Mr. Moore testified for both the prosecution and defense in over 450 DUI cases, and in many major crime cases. He assisted in the investigation of approximately 50 homicides and 25 officer involved shootings, attending and collecting evidence at over 100 autopsies.

Mr. Moore left the OC Crime Lab to enter private practice as an attorney and forensic scientist, practicing 3 years in Orange County and 6 months in Northern California. Mr. Moore now returns to the Orange County area and is affiliated with the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry, Inc.

Congratulations to our Forensic Science Geek of the Week winner!

OFFICIAL QUESTION:

: Forensic Science Geek of the Week Question

1. Identify this piece of equipment

2. Basically, how does this work? What is it used for?

3. What happens potentially if it is not used properly?

Our Geek of the Week answered:

Its a pair of crumpets for GC vials, probably headspace. Used to crimp an aluminum cap on the vial. If not used properly, a headspace vial will not pressurize, leading to low recovery and potentially inaccurate results.

[BLOGGER’S NOTE: What a great answer. Thank you for participating. Congratulations on being our Geek of the Week. Just to further amplify. The entire principle of Headspace (HS) is that it is based upon the principles of Henry’s Law. In HS-GC-FID, we are not directly testing the blood, but rather the headspace or the vapor above the liquid phase (blood) in the headspace vial. This amount measured in the headspace is proportionally related to the amount in the blood. This equation is the partition ratio or K. If the K is not correct, then we have incorrectly quantified. Having the right K and therefore quantifying correctly requires that the sample be at equilibrium in a closed system, at constant temperature, constant flow, and constant pressure. If the crimping is not correct, then the system is not closed. We get the wrong number. Crimping is important.]

The Hall of Fame for the www.TheTruthAboutForensicScience.com Forensic Science Geek of the Week:

Week 1: Chuck Ramsay, Esquire

Week 2: Rick McIndoe, PhD

Week 3: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 4: Stephen Daniels

Week 5: Stephen Daniels

Week 6: Richard Middlebrook, Esquire

Week 7: Christine Funk, Esquire

Week 8: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 9: Ron Moore, B.S., J.D.

Week 10: Kelly Case, Esquire and Michael Dye, Esquire

Week 11: Brian Manchester, Esquire