title: A gas chromatography-thermal conductivity detection method for helium detection in postmortem blood and tissue specimens.
abstract: In cases of death by inert gas asphyxiation, it can be difficult to obtain toxicological evidence supporting assignment of a cause of death. Because of its low mass and high diffusivity, and its common use as a carrier gas, helium presents a particular challenge in this respect. We describe a rapid and simple gas chromatography-thermal conductivity detection method to qualitatively screen a variety of postmortem biological specimens for the presence of helium. Application of this method is demonstrated with three case examples, encompassing an array of different biological matrices.
authors.affiliation: Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory, Quantico, VA 22135, USA. jason.schaff@ic.fbi.gov
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Schaff
authors.forename: Roman P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Karas
authors.forename: Laureen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marinetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia; D001344:Autopsy; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D053593:Forensic Toxicology / Q000379:methods; D006371:Helium / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013405:Suicide; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006371:Helium