The identification of 2-phenoxyethanol in ballpoint inks using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry--relevance to ink dating

Developing and implementing a generally accepted procedure for the dating of ink found on documents using dynamic approaches has been a very formidable undertaking by forensic document examiners. 2-Phenoxyethanol (PE), a common volatile organic compound found in ballpoint inks, has been recognized for over a decade as a solvent that evaporates as ink ages. More recently, investigations have focused on the solvent loss ratio of PE prior to and after heating. To determine how often PE occurs in ink formulations, the authors analyzed 633 ballpoint inks utilizing a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. 2-Phenoxyethanol was identified in 85% (237/279) and 83% (293/354) of black and blue inks, respectively.     

External quality assessment schemes for toxicology

A variety of external quality assurance (EQA) schemes monitor quantitative performance for routine biochemical analysis of agents such as paracetamol, salicylate, ethanol and carboxyhaemoglobin. Their usefulness for toxicologists can be lessened where the concentrations monitored do not extend fully into the toxic range or where the matrix is synthetic, of animal origin or serum as opposed to whole human blood. A scheme for quantitative determinations of a wider range of toxicological analytes such as opioids, benzodiazepines and tricyclics in human blood has been piloted by the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Scheme (UKNEQAS). Specialist schemes are available for drugs of abuse testing in urine and for hair analysis. Whilst these programmes provide much useful information on the performance of analytical techniques, they fail to monitor the integrated processes that are needed in investigation of toxicological cases. In practice, both qualitative and quantitative tests are used in combination with case information to guide the evaluation of the samples and to develop an interpretation of the analytical findings that is used to provide clinical or forensic advice. EQA programs that combine the analytical and interpretative aspects of case studies are available from EQA providers such as UKNEQAS and the Dutch KKGT program (Stichting Kwaliteitsbewaking Klinische Geneesmiddelanalyse en Toxicologie).     

Tribes, States, and the Management of Lake Resources: Lakes Coeur d'Alene and Flathead

Divisiveness and conflict have often characterized the relationshipbetween native tribes and state governments. The two ordersof government, however, increasingly share resources and confrontcommon problems. Consequently, there is acknowledgment thatthere are mutual advantages to closer cooperation in some cases.One area of special significance is the management of sharednatural resources—specifically, lake watersheds. Thisarticle examines state-tribal management of Idaho's Lake Coeurd'Alene and Montana's Flathead Lake. It surveys the three principalissues (hunting and fishing, development, and water quality)for state and tribal policymakers, explores how state and tribalgovernments are responding to shared jurisdictional and managementchallenges, and suggests that these responses could be a basisfor a more flexible and balanced tribal-state relationship.     

Kenyanization and African capacity ‘shuffling’

Cohen (1992) discusses in detail the problem of 'Kenyanization' of positions filled by expatriate advisors in the Kenyan civil service. He outlines six possible solutions to the problem, four of which involve the funding by donors of higher than civil service level salaries to attract Kenyan staff to the donors' particular projects. While Cohen is critical of these options he does not discuss the most serious danger in their use, the danger that resources will be seriously misallocated. In this article the traditional approach of supplying new resources to Kenya is compared with this new alternative of using donor funds to induce the reallocation of existing Kenyan staff. It suggests that donors must be extremely careful in using their funds to entice workers to their own projects without consideration of where these resources are drawn from. An alternative explanation to those discussed by Cohen for the lack of success with ‘Kenyanization’ is also proposed.     

Time since discharge of shotgun shells

A technique for the estimation of time since discharge of a given class of spent shotgun shells is presented. The technique involved the use of SPME (Solid Phase Microextraction) sampling from the atmosphere inside spent shotgun shells. Compounds absorbed on the SPME fiber were desorbed and analyzed with GC-MS. The decrease in concentration of the combustion product naphthalene was monitored in all shells over a two-month period. Three conditions were examined to prevent naphthalene from escaping prior to testing the shells. A glass vial was successfully incorporated to halt the dissipation of naphthalene. At room temperature the naphthalene peak can be measured for several months and the curve-fitting data can lead to an estimation of time since discharge.