The Importance of Alcohol Testing by Gas Chromatography vs the Cordebard Classical Method Modified in the Medico Legal Investigation

Considering the growing number of requests from the criminal investigations authorities addressed to the institutions of legal medicine, testing of blood alcohol concentration both in the living person and in the corpse, we believe that a presentation of the two methods which are used in our country, is a topic of interest at present. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with the technical details on how blodd alcohol concentration is realised by means of the gas chromatographic method and the classical one, (Cordebard modified by D. Banciu and I. Droc) respectively. Another purpose of this article is to also show, in a comparative way, the elements that make the gas chromatographic method superior to the former one.

Download Full-text

Measurement of uncertainty for blood alcohol concentration by headspace gas chromatography

Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal ◽

10.1080/00085030.2017.1312069 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 114-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Rong-Jen Hwang ◽

Jada Beltran ◽

Craig Rogers ◽

Jeremy Barlow ◽

Gerasimos Razatos

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽

Alcohol Concentration ◽

Headspace Gas Chromatography ◽

Blood Alcohol ◽

Headspace Gas

Download Full-text

An Overview of Alcohol Testing and Interpretation in the 21st Century

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190011431149 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 30-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Anna T. Kelly ◽

Ashraf Mozayani

Keyword(s):

Drug Testing ◽

Human Performance ◽

Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽

Forensic Toxicology ◽

Alcohol Concentration ◽

Driving Under The Influence ◽

Ethyl Glucuronide ◽

Blood Alcohol ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Alcohol Testing

Ethanol analysis is the most commonly carried out drug testing in a forensic toxicology laboratory. Determination of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is needed in a multitude of situations, including in postmortem analysis, driving under the influence (DUI) and drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) cases, workplace drug monitoring, and probation investigations. These analyses are carried out by direct measurement of ethanol concentrations as well as of metabolic by-products, such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS). This review article will discuss pharmacokinetics, including absorption, distribution, and elimination of ethanol, methods for the detection of ethanol, the effect of ethanol on human performance, the role of alcohol in injuries and fatalities, and information regarding the interactions that may occur between alcohol and other drugs. Finally, an explanation will be given on how to interpret alcohol levels as well as the extrapolation and calculation of blood alcohol levels at times prior to sample collection.

Download Full-text

P052: The effect of blood alcohol on outcomes in patients with major traumatic brain injury in Nova Scotia

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2016.228 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (S1) ◽

pp. S96-S96

Author(s):

R. Green ◽

N. Kureshi ◽

L. Fenerty ◽

G. Thibault-Halman ◽

M. Erdogan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Nova Scotia ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Injury Severity ◽

Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽

Alcohol Concentration ◽

Blood Alcohol ◽

Injury Score ◽

Using Data ◽

Alcohol Testing

Introduction: Although alcohol use increases the risk of experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it remains unclear whether outcomes in alcohol-impaired patients are different from those of unimpaired patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcohol on length of stay (LOS) and mortality in patients with major TBI. Methods: Using data collected from the Nova Scotia Trauma Registry, we performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with major TBI (defined as having an abbreviated injury score (AIS) head ≥3) seen in Nova Scotia hospitals between 2002 and 2013. Patients were compared by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at time of injury: negative (0-1.9 mmol/L), low (2-21 mmol/L), and moderate/high (≥22 mmol/L). A logistic regression model was constructed to test for outcomes and adjusted for the effects of age, gender, location, injury severity score (ISS), and BAC level. Results: In a twelve-year period, there were 4152 major TBI patients in Nova Scotia. Alcohol testing was performed in 43% of cases (80% male, mean age 44±20 years), with 48% having a positive BAC. Mean acute LOS was similar for all three BAC groups. Increasing age (odds ratio [OR]=1.01; p<0.001), high ISS (OR=4.92; p<0.001), injuries occurring outside of Halifax Regional Municipality (OR=1.72; p<0.001), and having a lower BAC level (OR = 0.99; p<0.001) independently predicted mortality. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that low BAC levels are associated with increased mortality in major TBI patients. Further study is warranted to elucidate alcohol’s mechanism in TBI outcomes.

Download Full-text

Gas Chromatographic Determination of N-Butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine and α,α,α-Trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-p-toluidine in Formulations

Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL ◽

10.1093/jaoac/54.3.711 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 54 (3) ◽

pp. 711-712

Author(s):

Martha Fuzesi

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Quantitative Determination ◽

Electron Capture ◽

Chromatographic Method ◽

Chromatographic Determination ◽

Electron Capture Detector ◽

Reference Solution ◽

Gas Chromatographic Method

Abstract A gas chromatographic method is described for the quantitative determination of N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-tolindine and α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N,N-dipropyI-p-toluidine herbicides in formulations. The sample is extracted with benzene, and equal amounts of sample and reference solution in the same concentration range are analyzed by gas chromatography, using an electron capture detector and an SE-30/Diatoport S column. The method has been applied successfully to laboratory-prepared and commercial samples.

Download Full-text

Antioxidants (BHA and BHT) in Breakfast Cereals

Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL ◽

10.1093/jaoac/48.4.694 ◽

1965 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 694-699

Author(s):

David M Takahashi

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Petroleum Ether ◽

Chromatographic Method ◽

Steam Distillation ◽

Gas Chromatograph ◽

Breakfast Cereals ◽

Collaborative Studies ◽

Different Types ◽

Gas Chromatographic Method

Abstract Antioxidants (BHA and BHT) in different types of breakfast cereals were studied by argon ionization gas chromatography. Samples containing antioxidants were packed into the column, and antioxidants were eluted with redistilled petroleum ether. EIuates were concentrated under N2 and injected into a Barber-Colman Model 10 gas chromatograph. Recoveries ranged from about 92 to 110%. Results obtained by steam distillation-colorimetry methods were erratic. Colorimetric procedures were not free from interferences and could lead to highly erroneous results at the lower ppm levels. The gas chromatographic method is faster, simpler, and more accurate. Collaborative studies on corn and rice ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are recommended.

Download Full-text

A Driving Simulator Study of the Performance Effects of Low Blood Alcohol Concentration

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129604001817 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 40 (18) ◽

pp. 943-946 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R. Wade Allen ◽

Zareh Parseghian ◽

Anthony C. Stein

Keyword(s):

Divided Attention ◽

Driving Simulator ◽

Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽

Large Body ◽

Alcohol Concentration ◽

Blood Alcohol ◽

Performance Effects ◽

Driving Task ◽

Simulator Study ◽

And Performance

There is a large body of research that documents the impairing effect of alcohol on driving behavior and performance. Some of the most significant alcohol influence seems to occur in divided attention situations when the driver must simultaneously attend to several aspects of the driving task. This paper describes a driving simulator study of the effect of a low alcohol dose, .055 BAC (blood alcohol concentration %/wt), on divided attention performance. The simulation was mechanized on a PC and presented visual and auditory feedback in a truck cab surround. Subjects were required to control speed and steering on a rural two lane road while attending to a peripheral secondary task. The subject population was composed of 33 heavy equipment operators who were tested during both placebo and drinking sessions. Multivariate Analysis of Variance showed a significant and practical alcohol effect on a range of variables in the divided attention driving task.

Download Full-text

4. Are a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 256mg/dl and Minimal Signs of Impairment Reliable Indications of Alcohol Dependence?

Medicine Science and the Law ◽

10.1177/002580249403400316 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 265-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A W Jones

Keyword(s):

Expert Witness ◽

Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽

Drunk Driving ◽

Alcohol Concentration ◽

Driving Under The Influence ◽

Blood Alcohol ◽

Lower Court ◽

Dna Profile ◽

Court Of Appeals ◽

Driving Scenario

This article describes a drink-driving scenario where a woman was apprehended for driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 256mg/dl1 The correctness of this result was vigorously challenged by a medical expert witness for the defence, who was actually a specialist in alcohol diseases. Despite reanalysis to confirm the BAC as well as a DNA profile to prove the identity of the blood specimen, the woman was acquitted of the charge of drunk driving by the lower court. However, she was subsequently found guilty in the High Court of Appeals with a unanimous decision and sentenced to four weeks imprisonment. This case report illustrates some of the problems surrounding the use of expert medical evidence by the defence to challenge the validity of the prosecution evidence based solely on a suspect's BAC. In situations such as these, an expert witness should be called by the prosecution to clarify and, if necessary, rebut medical and/or scientific opinions that might mislead the court and influence the outcome of the trial.

Download Full-text