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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Paired with Total Vaporization Solid-Phase Microextraction as a Forensic Tool
Published on: May 25, 2021
A gas chromatographic analysis of phosphine in biological material in a case of suicide
F Musshoff1, J Preuss, E Lignitz
1Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111 Bonn, Germany. f.musshoff@uni-bonn.de
Abstract:
In a suicide committed using aluminium phosphide (AlP) the liberated toxic phosphine gas was detected in post-mortem specimens using a headspace gas chromatographic procedure with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector (HS-GC/NPD). At autopsy a direct sampling into airtight headspace vials for a later analysis is recommended. AlP has to be considered a potent pesticide and its use and availability should be restricted as much as possible.
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