Zinc test as a new tool for identification of human seminal stains

An extremely simple qualitative method for identification of seminal stains based on high levels of zinc in human semen is described. It uses reaction of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol with zinc to develop a deep red color. The data are presented on the sensitivity, stability and specificity of the present method. We can recommend it for identification of human semen especially in old or denatured samples.     

Comparison of extraction methods for methamphetamine and its metabolites in tissue

Five extraction methods were examined for analysis of methamphetamine and its major metabolites in tissue samples. The extraction methods studied were an acetone extraction method, an ethanol extraction method, an ammonium sulfate method, dialysis, and a direct solvent extraction. Acetone, ethanol, and dialysis methods showed no interference from endogenous components using thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography, and gave satisfactory recovery of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and p-hydroxymethamphetamine when added to rabbit liver. These methods, however, proved time-consuming. The ammonium sulfate method and direct solvent extraction method were simple and more rapid, but recovery of the polar metabolite was poor.     

Accidental hanging by a sweater: an unusual case

An accidental atypical hanging with the collar of a sweater is reported. A 67-year-old man was found dead in the sitting position with the collar of his sweater hanging off the brake handle of a motorcycle. Autopsy findings revealed a ligature mark on the surface of the neck; hemorrhages in the sternohyoid muscles; submucosal hemorrhages in the left greater horn of the hyoid bone; a large degree of submucosal petechial hemorrhages in the larynx, oral mucosa, and palpebral conjunctivae; and dark-red liquid blood with little clotting in the heart cavities. The alcohol levels in the blood and urine were 2.84 mg/ml and 3.52 mg/ml, respectively. It was concluded that the man had died from hanging by the sweater, and it was speculated that when he became inebriated, he might have lost consciousness and then fell with the collar of his sweater hanging from the brake handle of the motorcycle.     

Positive and negative ion mass spectrometry of tricyclic antidepressants

Positive electron impact (EI), positive chemical ionization (CI), and negative CI mass spectra of eight tricyclic antidepressants are presented. In the positive EI mode, peak(s) at m/z 193 and/or 195, which corresponded to the tricyclic nucleus, appeared for five compounds; a peak at m/z 58 was common to compounds having a gamma-dimethylaminopropyl group as their side chain. Molecular ions appeared for all compounds though they were very small in some compounds in the positive EI mode. In the positive CI mode, [M + H]+ quasi-molecular peaks appeared together with [M + C2H5]+ peaks in five compounds; the ion at m/z 196, which corresponded to the tricyclic nucleus also appeared in five compounds. In the negative CI mode with 1 Torr chamber pressure, [M - 1]- quasi-molecular ions were observed for all compounds except for lofepramine; [M + 43]- anions, which probably corresponded to [M + C3H4]-, appeared in five compounds; strong [M + Cl]- ions appeared in carpipramine and clocapramine. The anions due to the tricyclic nucleus also appeared in this mode. In the negative CI mode at low pressure (0.01 Torr), the spectra were generally similar to those in the 1 Torr negative CI mode. However, the cluster anions never appeared at the low pressure. Some data on extraction for some antidepressants from human urine and plasma, and their separation by gas chromatography, are also presented.