What is a key responsibility of a forensic chemist?

The key responsibility of a forensic chemist revolves around the analysis of chemical evidence. Forensic chemists are tasked with investigating substances found at crime scenes, which includes determining their composition and understanding their implications in relation to criminal investigations. This role is crucial in the forensic science field, as the results from chemical analysis can provide significant insights into the type of crime committed, the materials involved, and potentially link suspects to criminal activities through trace evidence.

In contrast, creating new chemical compounds falls more under the domain of research chemists or industrial chemists rather than forensic specialists. Supervising crime scene investigations is primarily the responsibility of law enforcement officers or crime scene investigators, who manage the overall scene and evidence collection. Collecting eyewitness testimonies is also outside the forensic chemist's scope, as that task is generally conducted by police officers or investigators who focus on gathering verbal accounts from witnesses. Thus, option B accurately encapsulates the forensic chemist's primary function in the criminal justice system.