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Updated: May 24, 2026

Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector
Published on: July 25, 2014
A gas chromatography-thermal conductivity detection method for helium detection in postmortem blood and tissue
Jason E Schaff1, Roman P Karas, Laureen Marinetti
1Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory, Quantico, VA 22135, USA. jason.schaff@ic.fbi.gov
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.
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