KUCHING: Call it chemistry but Jong Poh Chan has a thing for all things science.
Even as a teenager in school, science subjects never made her recoil in fear unlike many of her peers. Instead she openly admits that it was love at first sight when she met, well, chemistry.
And for the past 14 years, Jong’s life as a forensic chemist has revolved around her first love, seven years of which she has now spent working in fire forensics.
Prior to her posting at the State Fire and Rescue Department’s (Bomba Sarawak) Fire Investigation Division, Jong was attached to the Department of Chemistry as narcotics chemist.
“I know most of the young people find science subjects scary and challenging, but they are actually very interesting and exciting,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
Passion and love for chemistry
Since she was a student in secondary school, Jong has always liked chemistry.
Upon completing her secondary education, she decided to pursue her interest and passion for chemistry by enrolling at the School of Chemical Sciences in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
“Most people find science subjects especially chemistry as the hardest subjects ever.
“I cannot deny that it is a difficult subject, but my interest and passion for chemistry overpowers the fear of mastering the subject,” she said.
Jong said she was lucky to work as a chemist as that meant she could continue her passion after she graduated.
First things first
The first thing that Jong does when she comes to work is to check on her ‘babies’ (analysis instruments) in the lab.
The lab is equipped with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), Thermal Gravimetry Analyzer (TGA), Thermomechanical Analyzer (TMA), Different Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Ultraviolet Spectrophotometry (UV-VIS) among others.
At the beginning of the day, she would check on the condition of the instruments to see whether there is any system leak as the instruments are deployed in a vacuum.
This is followed by injecting a blank sample into the instruments before she can begin conducting analysis on samples from cases.
“My babies are not difficult to look after because I am used to them. As a chemist, I also need to learn how to conduct basic maintenance on the instruments,” she explained.
As to what is the most challenging thing about her job, Jong said there is none except for when the instruments break down.
She admitted that this would cause her to be stressed because she cannot promptly produce reports for the fire investigation officer (FIO).
“I always do my best to prepare and produce the report for samples as soon as possible.
“So, if there is any problem with the instruments, I would have to do some troubleshooting to find out what is wrong.
“If I cannot get the instruments to start working again, I will have to call the service engineer from Kuala Lumpur.
“Normally, they would try to come over immediately but the journey takes some time,” she said.
Recalling the Covid-19 pandemic, Jong said she was fortunate that there were no problems with the instruments. If not, the service engineer would have had to quarantine before performing maintenance.
During the pandemic, she tested and analysed 359 samples in 2020, 424 samples in 2021 and 134 samples in 2022.
“My babies were well-behaved, so I was able to do my work as per usual.
“With various restrictions and measures imposed during the pandemic, it would have been troublesome and time-consuming to wait for the service engineer to come over,” she added.
Of procedures and processes
Once the sample from a fire case has been collected and delivered to the Fire Investigation Laboratory, Jong would register the sample into a logbook.
She would ask the FIO in charge what is the sample background and parameters that he wants to analyse and find out.
She would then bring the sample inside the preparation room where she would open the secured package and take photos with some descriptions.
“After that, I will heat the sample in the laboratory oven at 90 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes to evaporate the accelerant that may be present.
“The hot air will then be absorbed with the Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) and it will be injected into the GCMS for analysis,” she explained.
Among other equipment in the lab, the GCMS can detect hydrocarbon-based materials such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.
Jong explained that each hydrocarbon-based material has a different chemical fingerprint and pattern which the highly sensitive GCMS can detect.
“It takes about 30 minutes for a round of analysis by the GCMS. After the result comes out, the analysis would tell me what the chemical fingerprint and pattern of the sample are.
“From there, I will prepare a chemist report to give to the FIO who will then continue with the investigation and evaluate whether there is an element of arson or otherwise.
“The usual procedure is that if there is fire accelerant present, the FIO will provide a copy of the chemist report to the police for further investigation,” she said.
In a day, Jong conducts testing and analysis on at least five samples and each sample’s findings and reports must be completed within 10 working days.
“I have acted as an expert witness for several fire cases in court, especially with regards to incendiary or arson cases,” she said.
Words of advice
As a member of IKM (Institut Kimia Malaysia), Jong said the institute is actively increasing awareness in the hope of promoting science subjects and to increase the number of chemists in the country.
She pointed out that the percentage of science experts like chemists in Sarawak is still very negligible which is concerning.
“I hope the secondary school students will take up science stream subjects when they enter Form 4.
“Once they have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), they can pursue science courses.
“It would be good for Sarawak if we are able to produce more science students and graduates as they will be able to contribute to the efforts to make the state more progressive,” she said.
Jong advised those pursuing science subjects in their tertiary education to persevere and not give up easily.
Based on her experience, she said things get better and more manageable once the syllabus is completed.
“Studying in university regardless of what course you are pursuing is going to be difficult and there will be challenges.
“However, you must go through this hardship first to gain knowledge, exposure and experience.
“When you go out into the working world, you might only use one of the topics that you had learned.
“For me, I was really interested in fire forensics which is where I can contribute my skills and knowledge to the department
and bring peace to society,” she said.
