The Identification of Chlorinated Acetones in Analyses of Aged Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP)

The organic peroxide explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is regularly encountered by law enforcement agents in various stages of its production, storage, or usage. In a previous study, it has been demonstrated that isolated, rigorously purified, TATP may degrade to form a series of chlorinated acetones when directly treated with excess concentrated hydrochloric acid. The current study extends this work to examine whether this phenomenon may be measured during the more feasible scenario of aging of rudimentarily purified TATP contaminated with trace reaction mixture. It was demonstrated that solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses of aged TATP that was synthesized utilizing hydrochloric acid catalyst may identify the presence of the degradation products chloroacetone and 1,1-dichloroacetone. Upon aging of TATP synthesized utilizing either sulfuric or nitric acid catalyst, no acid specific degradation products could be identified. These findings may be exploited by forensic chemists in the analyses of TATP samples.     

Temporal analysis of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine in wastewater to estimate community drug use*

Abstract: Indirect estimation methods of cocaine consumption may not reflect the real extent of cocaine use. Another approach is sewage epidemiology. This direct approach is based on analysis of a stable cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine (BE), in wastewater. Influent to the Lubbock (Texas) Water Reclamation Plant was sampled twice a week to assess weekly variations in estimates of cocaine consumption over a 5‐month period. BE was extracted from influent wastewater samples using solid phase extraction and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Measured concentrations of BE were converted to cocaine equivalents; the estimated average daily consumption of cocaine during the study period was 1152 ± 147 g. Based on BE concentrations and sewage epidemiology, higher cocaine consumption was observed on weekends compared to weekdays (p < 0.0003). This method was effective in monitoring BE in wastewater and could be used to complement survey data in estimating cocaine use at a local level.     

长期饮酒对急性中毒大鼠死后体液内MDMA再分布的影响

目的研究长期饮酒对急性中毒大鼠体液中亚甲基二氧甲基苯丙胺(MDMA)死后再分布的影响。方法 SD雄性大鼠360只,随机均分为A、B、C、D 4组;A、B组以白酒,C、D组以双蒸水为饮用液体,4周后各组按150mg/kg MDMA剂量灌胃,处死后分置于25℃、4℃条件下;以VARIAN CP-3800气相色谱仪分别检测处死时血乙醇含量和0～10d内体液样品中MDMA浓度。结果 0～10d不同条件下,大鼠血液、玻璃体液及尿液中MDMA的PMR浓度变化趋势均为先升高、后降低;各时间点A、B组和C、D组大鼠各体液样本MDMA浓度较0h均有显著性差异(P<0.05),各时间点A与C组、B与D组之间体液样本MDMA浓度有显著性差异(P<0.05);A与B组、C与D组之间体液样本MDMA浓度有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论长期饮用乙醇会降低MDMA在体液样品中的再分布,其影响程度高低依次为血液、尿液及玻璃体液;低温也可减少体液中MDMA的再分布。     

ASE和GPC方法检验非苯二氮卓类催眠药

目的建立生物样品中4种非苯二氮卓类新型催眠药的快速溶剂萃取-凝胶色谱检验方法。方法生物样品采用快速溶剂萃取,凝胶色谱净化,GC／NPD检验。结果4种新型催眠药的平均回收率均在83％以上,检测限为0．05μg·mL-1～0．1μg·mL-1。结论该方法可满足实际检案的需求。     

超高效液相色谱-四极杆/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱法检测血斑中乙醇生物标志物

Objective To establish a method for determination of two alcohol biomarkers (ethyl glucuronide, EtG;ethyl sulphate, EtS) in bloodstains via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/eOrbitrap HRMS). Methods The bloodstains were prepared on clean glass slide where to have dropped the venous blood spiked of EtG or EtS, having them extracted with 50% hydrated methanol. The bloodstain-extracted supernatant was separated on a Synicronis C18 column (150mm×2.1mm×5.0μm) with gradient elution that was run through the mobile phases consisting of 0.1% formic acid (phase A) and acetonitrile: methanol (v/v 1:1) (containing 0.1% formic acid ) (phase B). MS tests were coupled with HPLC under HESI (heating electrospray ionization) source operated in negative ionization full-scan mode. Results Both EtG and EtS were linear with their calibration curves among the range of 0.2-100ng/patch (R²=0.9991, 0.9994), showing good recovery, intra-and inter-day precision less than 15%. The matrix effect was in the range of 85%-120%. Conclusion The method is effective to detect alcohol biomarkers (EtG and EtS) in bloodstains. © 2021, Editorial Office of Forensic Science and Technology. All rights reserved.     

Death From Butane Inhalation Abuse in Teenagers: Two New Case Studies and Review of the Literature

The ready availability of butane makes butane abuse frequent. Fatalities are rare. This study presents two cases of death by butane overdose. The postmortem analyses were carried out using headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. It revealed femoral blood butane concentrations of 18 and 22 mg/L, respectively, as well as specific combinations of adjuvants in each victim. In one of the victims, brain and fatty tissue also contained butane, pointing to chronic consumption. The originality of this study is to show that the identification of specific combinations of adjuvants can be helpful for identifying the brand of deodorant used. Also, sampling the skin and mucosa can help identify the method of drug delivery. The histological examination documented both the direct toxic effect of the gas on the respiratory mucosa and signs of chronic abuse. Volatile substance intoxications should be systematically considered in case of sudden death in a teenager.     

人血浆Fn的纯化、抗体制备及法医学应用的研究

本文用Gelatin－Senharose4B亲合层析法提纯人血浆Fn抗原，免疫家兔，收集抗血清，经过去Fn血浆制成的免疫固相吸附剂处理后，制备特异性抗人Fn血清。此抗血清1：200稀释，用于免疫组化PAP、DAB染色法，观察人头皮枪弹创、头皮挫裂创、腹部皮肤切创各4例创缘区Fn含量、分布变化的研究，能反映创线区Fn变化的规律，为法医学创伤的研究，进一步开展定量分析和定量测定，作了抗体准备。     

An institutional assessment of the public interest and accountability committee (PIAC) in Ghana’s oil and gas sector

ABSTRACT

Ghana’s Petroleum Revenue Management Act 815 (amended to Act 893 in 2015) established the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) in 2011 with the mandate to ensure accountability and transparency in the management and usage of oil and gas revenue. This paper critically examines the activities and operations of the PIAC from 2011 vis-à-vis its legally reposed mandate. It points to severe deficit in accountability but improvements in transparency in the management of oil and gas revenues in spite of the existence and operations of the PIAC. After eight years of operation, the PIAC continues to suffer monumental challenges that undermine its effectiveness in serving as an accountability and transparency initiative in Ghana’s oil and gas sector. The paper makes some recommendation based on the empirical challenges of the PIAC identified to strengthen the PIAC to deliver effectively on its mandate.     

气相色谱法测定海洛因含量的测量不确定度评定

目的探讨气相色谱法测定海洛因含量的测量不确定度评定。方法从测定程序分析不确定度来源,并计算各不确定度分量及合成不确定度,得出总不确定度。结果重复性测定不确定度分量最大,气相色谱仪误差次之,而玻璃容量器具天平及对照品所引起的不确定度分量对总不确定度的影响可忽略不计。结论气相色谱法测定海洛因含量的测量不确定度主要来源于重复性测定的误差及气相色谱仪的误差。     

The indirect detection of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in beverages as evidence of product tampering

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) has been identified as the adulterant in a relatively large number of product tamperings that have been investigated by the Forensic Chemistry Center (FCC) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In this work, household bleach was added to 23 different beverages at each of three levels. The impact of sodium hypochlorite on these beverages over a 13-day study period was evaluated using the following techniques: diphenylamine spot test for oxidizing agents, potassium iodide-starch test paper for oxidizing agents, pH, iodometric titration for quantitating hypochlorite, ion chromatography for chloride and chlorate quantitation, automated headspace sampling with gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) for determination of chloroform, and visual and organoleptic observations. This study has shown that hypochlorite is fragile when added to most common beverages and typically breaks down either partially or completely over time. In cases where a beverage is suspected of being adulterated with bleach but tests for hypochlorite are negative, it is still possible to characterize the product to demonstrate that the results are consistent with the addition of bleach. An adulterated product will give a positive test for oxidizing agents using the diphenylamine spot test. It is likely that the pH of the adulterated product will be higher than a control of that product. Ion chromatographic analysis shows elevated chloride and chlorate as compared with a control. And, chloroform may also be detected by GC-FID especially if the beverage that was adulterated contains citric acid.