FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY - Bio Medical Forensics

Product modification can be done in three ways, by removing the
harmful component, by adding a deterrent, or by modifying the package
so that it is less likely to be misused. Product modification in the United
States, as well as in Australia, will be discussed.
Inhalant Abuse, Toxicology, Driving
K24 Alcohol Analysis in the 21st Century:
Analysis, Reporting, and Interpretation
Anna T. Kelly, PhD*, Andre Salazar, BS, Patricia L. Small, BS, and
Ashlyn Beard, MS, Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, 1885
Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054
After attending this presentation, attendees will gain knowledge
about conducting thorough alcohol analyses in DUI cases, from analysis
to accurate reporting, as well as, interpretation of the data using
BAC software.
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
demonstrating a very thorough approach to the analysis of blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) in DUI cases. In addition to the traditional
approach of Gas Chromatography (GC)-Headspace analysis, uncertainty
of the analysis will be introduced as well as the use of BAC software to
extrapolate what the blood alcohol level was at the time of the incident
in question, as in the case of an accident, based on the measured BAC.
The application of this analysis method to several DUI cases will
be discussed.
The analyses were performed on an GC-Headspace instrument that
had been validated to confirm its accuracy based on results obtained
from another instrument. A dual column system was used, the first of
which quantitated the concentration of ethanol, while the second column
served to confirm the presence of ethanol. The uncertainty of the
measurements is taken into consideration by addressing a variety of
areas, including the uncertainty in the purity of the standards used, the
accuracy of the pipettes used, and the accuracy of the aliquoting of
samples. Once the measurement was made, the BAC software was then
used to extrapolate the BAC at the time of the incident. Using this
software, a range of levels can be calculated by averaging BAC levels
obtained by several published equations for the estimation of BAC.
One of the cases analyzed was that of a 50-year-old white female
who was involved in a car accident. Her measured BAC was 0.19 g/dL
at 3:30 a.m., whereas the accident she was involved in took place at
11:30 p.m. She stated that she had two martinis, the first one at 7:30 p.m.
and the second at 10:00 p.m. Using the BAC software, it was determined
that she would have had to have consumed 5.13 oz of 100%
alcohol/volume during the time period that she stated that she had been
drinking. Using the extrapolation function of the software, it was
determined that the BAC at the time of the accident would have been
0.26 ± 0.03 g/dL.
In conclusion, this method provides a thorough approach to the
determination of BAC levels in DUI cases, resulting in a range of
measurements that analysts can feel confident about.
References:
1. BAC Tracker. http://www.bac-tracker.com/
2. LeBeau, Marc A. “Uncertainty of Quantitative Measurements.”
Society of Forensic Toxicologists meeting. Austin, Texas. 2006
DUI, GC-Headspace, Extrapolation
K25 Development of an LC/MS/MS Method for
the Analysis of Fatty Acids
Melinda A. Lower, BS*, 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104; and
Marianne E. Staretz, PhD, Cedar Crest College, Department of
Chemical & Physical Sciences, 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104
After attending this presentation, attendees will be introduced to a
novel LC/MS/MS method that can be used in the analysis of fatty acids.
This method was applied to the analysis of fish oil and other omega-3supplements
and should be applicable to the analysis of other samples
as well.
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
supplying a method that can alleviate time and effort in the analysis of
fatty acids.
A common method for the analysis of fatty acids utilizes Gas
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. This process requires several
time-consuming and complicated steps to prepare the sample. This
process also includes working with hazardous chemicals in order to
derivatize the fatty acids. The current research focused on the
development of an LC/MS/MS method that can be utilized in the
analysis of fatty acids. This method was applied to the analysis of fish
oil and other omega-3-fatty acid supplements. This method includes
using a Restek Ultra C8 (3μm, 50x2.1 mm) along with a 20x2.1 mm
Ultra C8 Guard Cartridge, also from Restek. Solvent A of the mobile
phase was 50 mM formic acid/ 2 mM ammonium formate and Solvent B
was 95% acetonitrile/water containing 50 mM formic acid and 2 mM
ammonium formate. The following gradient was used: 50% B for five
minutes, 50 to 100% B in 28 minutes, and holding at 100% B for two
minutes. Heptadecenoic Acid was used as the internal standard. The
essential omega-3 acids, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) were quantitated in the supplements. The
limits of detection for DHA and EPA were 0.49 and 0.33 ug/mL,
respectively. The limits of quantitation for DHA and EPA were 1.12 and
1.11 ug/mL, respectively. The linear range for DHA was up to 5 mg/mL
and the linear range for EPA was up to 2 mg/mL. Supplements were
analyzed before and after a base hydrolysis step. The before samples
were simply diluted with 70/30 acetonitrile/chloroform and injected.
Base hydrolysis samples were extracted with chloroform and then
diluted with acetonitrile, keeping with the 70/30 ratio. At least 24
different brands of omega-3 supplements were examined using
this method.
Laws and regulations surrounding dietary supplements may not be
firm enough to cover the safety and quantity of the ingredients included
in these products. Due to increasing production and use of these omega-
3 supplements, some monitoring of the composition and safety of these
products is warranted. The newly developed LC/MS/MS method
simplifies the procedures involved in the analysis of fatty acids and
provides a less time consuming and less hazardous method that can be
applied to dietary supplements such as fish oil but should be applicable
to other samples as well.
LC/MS/MS, Dietary Supplements, Fatty Acids
13 * Presenting Author