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A rapid method for blood alcohol determination by headspace analysis using an electrochemical detector
1Department of Alcohol Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|April 1, 1978
Summary
This study presents a rapid electrochemical method for determining blood alcohol concentration using headspace analysis. The technique is accurate, requires minimal blood samples, and is ideal for forensic and toxicology labs.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Forensic Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) determination is crucial in forensic and toxicology.
- Existing methods may require longer analysis times or larger sample volumes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel method for BAC determination using headspace analysis and an electrochemical detector.
- To evaluate the method's speed, accuracy, and precision.
Main Methods:
- Headspace analysis of blood samples.
- Detection using an electrochemical detector.
- Comparison with an enzymatic (alcohol dehydrogenase) reference method.
Main Results:
- Determination of BAC within 2 minutes using only 0.1 ml of blood.
- Linear detector response to ethanol concentrations up to 3.0 mg/ml.
- High accuracy with a mean recovery of 102.2% and a standard deviation of +/- 0.014 mg/ml.
Conclusions:
- The described electrochemical method offers a fast, accurate, and precise approach for BAC determination.
- Its efficiency makes it suitable for serial analyses and mass screening in forensic and toxicology settings.