Using an analytical balance to measure weight of an immersed mass provides an indirect measurement of density.

We’ve now all seen enough television shows to know that forensic analysis is one of the most glamorous jobs around, right?  Well, well-coiffed analysts or rugged, yet sensitive, team leaders may not be the norm, but the importance of the job cannot be denied.  To help the job get done right, the FBI has published a guideline on glass density analysis.  As long as a chip is two or three millimeters across, you can use the process to immerse the glass in a variable density solution, then immerse a “plummet” of known weight into the solution.  Using an analytical balance, weigh the plummet and recover the glass density.  Then star in your own television drama.

For further information visit www.fbi.gov.

• 

•