title: Identification of firearms holders by the [Fe(PDT)3](+2) complex. Quantitative determination of iron transfer to the hand and its dependence on palmar moisture levels.
abstract: Quantitative data are reported for the first time on the amounts of iron, which are transferred to the hand upon holding a firearm. Iron levels between 21-315 ng/cm2 were found on volunteers' palms after a single holding of a handgun. Determination of the iron traces was accomplished spectrophotometrically using 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (PDT) as a complexing agent. The transfer of iron from firearms to the palm was found to be, by and large a chemical (dissolution) rather than mechanical dislodgement. The prime factor that determines the amount of iron transferred from the firearm to the hand is the moisture level on the palm. These findings are likely to be of importance in courts of law, as well as in the war against terrorism and serious crime.
authors.affiliation: Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Yaniv Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Avissar
authors.forename: Assaf E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sagiv
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mandler
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Almog
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D005389:Firearms; D044709:Forensic Ballistics / Q000379:methods; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013542:Sweat / Q000737:chemistry*; D014227:Triazines / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D014227:Triazines; C044359:3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine