Analysis of arsenic in forensic cases utilizing a rapid, non-ashing technique and furnace atomic absorption

A procedure is described for analysis of arsenic in urine, hair, liver, and other biological specimens after dissolution of milligram quantities in nitric acid followed by treatment with nickel nitrate and graphite furnace atomic absorption (AA). Some data is given comparing silver diethyldithiocarbamate (AgDDC) colorimetry results to AA results. The method is fast, sensitive, and accurate. Case reports are cited.