Application of I.R. spectrophotometry in emergency analyses

I.R. spectrophotometry has been applied in emergency toxicological analyses. Poisons and drugs are extracted into chloroform, potassium bromide is added to the extract and the solvent evaporated. Potassium bromide discs are prepared by compression and scanned in an I.R. spectrophotometer. A data bank of standard spectra has been prepared and computerized comparison of the spectral data of the sample extract with those of authentic compounds allows the identification of toxic agents in 'real time'.