Detection of metallic elements from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.
Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX) enables rapid, non-destructive, multi-elemental analysis. Using EDX, lead and some other metallic elements were detected in paraffin-blocks in which skin samples from a gunshot wound were embedded. Lead was not identified in control samples from non-injured cases. These findings indicate that EDX is a useful method for rapid non-destructive analysis of paraffin-embedded blocks. This technique can provide scientific evidence for identification of a firearm even after storing the sample for a long time.
Takahashi
Motonori
M
Department of Legal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan. gengring@hyo-med.ac.jp
Kinoshita
Hiroshi
H
Nishiguchi
Minori
M
Nishio
Hajime
H
D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013405:Suicide; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot
D008670:Metals