Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
4. Uluslararası ve 20. Ulusal Adli Bilimler Kongresi, İzmir, Türkiye, 2 - 05 Kasım 2023, sa.52, ss.165-166, (Özet Bildiri)
Objective: Forensic toxicological analysis of heavy metals in keratinous biological samples such as fingernails by inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique is interesting. The aim of this study was to perform quantitative simultaneous determination of heavy metals in human fingernail by ICP-MS technique, and to evaluate the findings from forensic toxicological perspective.
Materials and Methods: Unpolished fingernail samples provided at different times by a female subject in the research team were used. The fingernail samples, which were taken at different times within the last four years, were kept at room temperature in a cardboard box. The samples collected for analysis were sent to Izmir Katip Çelebi University Central Research Laboratory. ICP-MS was used for the simultaneous quantitative determination of 10 metal elements in the fingernail samples. Firstly, microwave solubilization was performed on the samples. Then, the concentrations of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), antimony (Sb), thallium (Tl), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se) and strontium (Sr) were determined simultaneously by ICP-MS. Ethics committee permission was obtained for the research.
Results: The values of heavy metals in the current sample were As:0,0755, Pb:0,2323, Cd:0,0054, Hg:0,1346, Sb:0,0144, Tl:0,0057, Zn:124, Cu:6,0522, Se:0,4397 and Sr:2,0759 µg/g. The values of heavy metal amounts in the 3 years old sample were As:0,0320, Pb:0,1660, Cd:0,0327, Hg:0,0797, Sb:0,0245, Tl:0,0056, Zn:116, Cu:4,2270, Se:0,6045 and Sr:1,4634 µg/g.
Conclusion: There are several forensic toxicological advantages of by ICP-MS technique and nail samples in the investigation of heavy metal poisoning. It is important to determine the cause of metal poisoning, acute or chronic exposure, whether the poisoning was the result of homicide, suicide or accident, and to gain awareness and knowledge about heavy metal toxicity.
Keywords: ICP-MS, fingernail, heavy metal toxicity