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Analytical methods in forensic chemistry
299
Analytica Chimica Acta, 242 (1991) 299-303 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
BOOKREVIEWS T. Vo-Dinh (Ed.), Chemical Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (Chemical Analysis, Vol. lOl), Wiley, Chichester, 1989 (ISBN 0-471-628891). xxiv + 494 pp. Price f. 70.00. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), which include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their heterocyclic analogues, constitute the largest class of suspected carcinogens found in the environment and their characterisation and quantification in complex matrices represents a significant analytical challenge. This monograph, which is Volume 101 in the Chemical Analysis series, discusses the application of a wide range of techniques to the problem and contains two introductory chapters and thirteen technique-based chapters. From a general interest point of view the introductory material is too brief and a serious omission is the absence of a comprehensive collection of PAC structures. The techniques chapters are generally well written by a variety of authors and topics range from the widely used gas and liquid chromatography, through supercritical fluid chromatography, luminescence and mass spectrometry, to the more esoteric, e.g. immunological methods and photothermal spectroscopy. Whilst it is interesting to see the range of techniques that have been applied to the problem of PAC analysis, more emphasis on the basic techniques would have been of greater practical use. In spite of the diversity of approaches covered there is no mention of chemiluminescence and a lack of critical comparison of the techniques. However the book does contain a wealth of very readable material and all of the chapters contain comprehensive bibliographies. It is therefore strongly recommended as a primary reference text for those concerned with any aspect of PAC analysis. P.J. Worsfold
Mat H. Ho (Ed.), Analytical Methods in Forensic Chemistry, Horwood, Chichester, 1990 (ISBN O13-037961-l). xvii + 440 pp. Price US $ 100.95/ & 56.00. This interesting and extensive text mainly shows how recent developments in three areas of analytical chemistry viz. mass spectrometry (MS), UVvisible spectroscopy and chromatography do or will have a major impact on forensic toxicology. Various aspects of these topics are discussed in 23 of the 29 chapters; the main emphasis is on drugs, but some consideration is given to petroleum products and trace metals. Immunoassay, automation of drug extraction, firearms residues, a scheme for systematic toxicological analysis and a discussion of the potential and limitations of the chemical analysis of physiological evidential samples make up the rest of the book. Within these limits, this is a very informative text, include topics such as tandem MS, fast atom bombardment and chemical ionisation MS, chiroptical spectrometry, 3-D fluorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, photochemical derivatisation in liquid chromatography (LC) and photodiode assay detection for LC. Perhaps my only criticism is that this is a book mainly about the analytical aspects. More case histories would have added to its interest. It will be valuable, however, not just to forensic scientists, but to all analytical toxicologists and those engaged in pharmaceutical analysis. Alan Townshend Kenneth W. Busch and Marianna A. Busch, Multielement Detection Systems for Spectrochemical Analysis (Chemical Analysis, Vol. 107) Wiley, New York, 1990 (ISBN O-471-81974-3). xxi + 688 pp. Price f. 7O.OO/US $ 105.45. The fly sheet of this book tells us that it aims to “make it possible for readers to rapidly develop
Analytica Chimica Acta, 242 (1991) 299-303 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
BOOKREVIEWS T. Vo-Dinh (Ed.), Chemical Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (Chemical Analysis, Vol. lOl), Wiley, Chichester, 1989 (ISBN 0-471-628891). xxiv + 494 pp. Price f. 70.00. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), which include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their heterocyclic analogues, constitute the largest class of suspected carcinogens found in the environment and their characterisation and quantification in complex matrices represents a significant analytical challenge. This monograph, which is Volume 101 in the Chemical Analysis series, discusses the application of a wide range of techniques to the problem and contains two introductory chapters and thirteen technique-based chapters. From a general interest point of view the introductory material is too brief and a serious omission is the absence of a comprehensive collection of PAC structures. The techniques chapters are generally well written by a variety of authors and topics range from the widely used gas and liquid chromatography, through supercritical fluid chromatography, luminescence and mass spectrometry, to the more esoteric, e.g. immunological methods and photothermal spectroscopy. Whilst it is interesting to see the range of techniques that have been applied to the problem of PAC analysis, more emphasis on the basic techniques would have been of greater practical use. In spite of the diversity of approaches covered there is no mention of chemiluminescence and a lack of critical comparison of the techniques. However the book does contain a wealth of very readable material and all of the chapters contain comprehensive bibliographies. It is therefore strongly recommended as a primary reference text for those concerned with any aspect of PAC analysis. P.J. Worsfold
Mat H. Ho (Ed.), Analytical Methods in Forensic Chemistry, Horwood, Chichester, 1990 (ISBN O13-037961-l). xvii + 440 pp. Price US $ 100.95/ & 56.00. This interesting and extensive text mainly shows how recent developments in three areas of analytical chemistry viz. mass spectrometry (MS), UVvisible spectroscopy and chromatography do or will have a major impact on forensic toxicology. Various aspects of these topics are discussed in 23 of the 29 chapters; the main emphasis is on drugs, but some consideration is given to petroleum products and trace metals. Immunoassay, automation of drug extraction, firearms residues, a scheme for systematic toxicological analysis and a discussion of the potential and limitations of the chemical analysis of physiological evidential samples make up the rest of the book. Within these limits, this is a very informative text, include topics such as tandem MS, fast atom bombardment and chemical ionisation MS, chiroptical spectrometry, 3-D fluorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, photochemical derivatisation in liquid chromatography (LC) and photodiode assay detection for LC. Perhaps my only criticism is that this is a book mainly about the analytical aspects. More case histories would have added to its interest. It will be valuable, however, not just to forensic scientists, but to all analytical toxicologists and those engaged in pharmaceutical analysis. Alan Townshend Kenneth W. Busch and Marianna A. Busch, Multielement Detection Systems for Spectrochemical Analysis (Chemical Analysis, Vol. 107) Wiley, New York, 1990 (ISBN O-471-81974-3). xxi + 688 pp. Price f. 7O.OO/US $ 105.45. The fly sheet of this book tells us that it aims to “make it possible for readers to rapidly develop