Person Research Group

 

Areas of Research

Dr. Person's principle research interests lie in the area of forensic chemistry, particularly the analysis of clandestine (methamphetamine) laboratory evidence. He developed expertise and interest in this area while investigating an analyzing evidence from methamphetamine laboratory cases as a forensic scientist for four years with the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory. 

Current projects in the research group include the characterization of oxazolidine byproducts formed during the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine and in the development of a chromatogram library search algorithm for the identification of ignitable liquids in arson cases.

The group is also working on a variety of projects related to chemistry and forensic science education including the generation of new laboratory activities and demonstrations.

Recent Publications

1. Person, E.C.; Golden D.R.; Royce, B.R.  Salting Effects as an Illustration of the Relative Strength of Intermolecular Forces. Journal of Chemical Education 2010, 87 (12), 1332-1335.
2. Golden, M.L.; Person, E.C.; Bejar, M; Golden D.R.; Powell, J.M.  Phosphorus Flamethrower: A Demonstration Using Red and White Allotropes of Phosphorus. Journal of Chemical Education 2010, 87 (11), 1154-1158.
3. Person, E. C.; Golden, M. L. Current Views on the Molecular Structures Phosphorus Allotropes. Journal of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association 2009, 19 (4), 13-15.
4. Person, Eric C.; Sunderson, Nathan S*. Liquid-Liquid Extractions of Phenylephrine. Journal of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association 2009, 19 (1), 4-7.
5. Person, Eric C.; Heegel, Robert A.; Knops, Lori A.; Northrop, David M. Phosphorus-containing reducing agents: a review of their chemistry and use in the manufacture of methamphetamine and the significance of observed phosphate, phosphite, and hypophosphite in clandestine laboratory casework. Journal of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association 2008, 18 (2), 7-44.

Recent Presentations

1. Person, E.C.; Upshaw, J.  Factors Affecting the Mass Measurement Uncertainty for Simulated Drug Exhibits. In Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists' 21st Annual Technical Training Seminar, Seattle, Washington, September 10, 2011.
2. Person, E.C.; Scott, H.; Stalker, R; Tilghman, A; Kalchik, M. Protecting Group Chemistry – Precursors and Byproducts in Clandestine Laboratories. In Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists' 21st Annual Technical Training Seminar, Seattle, Washington, September 7, 2011.