Detection of metallic elements from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Motonori Takahashi; Hiroshi Kinoshita; Minori Nishiguchi; Hajime Nishio

doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.12.003

Detection of metallic elements from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2010 Mar;12(2):102-3. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.12.003. Epub 2010 Jan 27.

Authors

Motonori Takahashi¹, Hiroshi Kinoshita, Minori Nishiguchi, Hajime Nishio

Affiliation

¹ Department of Legal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan. gengring@hyo-med.ac.jp

PMID: 20110190
DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2009.12.003

Abstract

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.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Finite Element Analysis
Humans
Japan
Male
Metals / isolation & purification*
Paraffin Embedding*
Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission*
Suicide
Wounds, Gunshot

Substances

Metals