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Imagining tomorrow
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL 36, 253-254 (1987)
BOOK REVIEWS Forensic Science, 2nd Ed. EDITED BY G. DAVIES. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC. pp., $59.95.
1986. x + 390
This book, which is a collection of chapters written by specialists in individual areas, deals with the definition and history of forensic science, particularly in the United States, with education, training, and research in this area of specialization, but also brings examples of important practical applications of chemical and other methods in this field. Even when chapters on the advances in breath-alcohol analysis, in the science of fingerprints, or in genetic marker systems which enable the solving of problems involving parenthood and are used in cases of blood or body fluid transfer make interesting reading, the readers of this journal will profit mostly from chapters dealing with applications of microand trace analytical methods. In the area of analysis for drugs, the use of HPLC methods with their high selectivity became predominant. Examples of uv-visible. fluorometric, electrochemical, and mass spectrometric detection are given and examples of the combination of such detectors in multidetection modes are discussed together with some examples of postcolumn. on-line derivatization. For firearms, residue detection anodic stripping voltammetry enabled the determination of Pb and Sb, whereas Ba was determined by atomic absorption. The same elements and some others (usually less useful in characterization of the gunshot residue) can also be determined by proton-induced X-ray emission. For organic residues, TLC, GS-MS, and HPLC are successfully used. The size and morphology of gunshot residue particles can be identified using scanning electron microscopy. Explosive residues in bombing scene investigations are identified and determined mostly by chromatographic techniques (TLC, GC, and HPLC-with uv, thermal energy analyzer. and electrochemical detectors. as well as ion chromatography). In some cases also IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry. and other techniques such as NMR and ESR are used. In the detection and identification of accelerant residues (such as gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, turpentine) chromatographic methods (mostly GC) are used. Samples are obtained by headspace. distillation. extraction, or adsorption methods. Finally, in forensic microscopy, size. shape. color, transparency, surface. homogeneity, and contrast are observed, as well as pleochroism, refractive index. anisotropy. birefringence. and signs of stress or elongation. Overall this volume presents fascinating examples of the use of modern analytical methods. It is recommended not only to those with a special interest in the field of forensic microanalysis but also to other analytical chemists as a source of inspiraion. It clearly demonstrates how microchemical procedures often developed for other, frequently academic, purposes can be successfully applied in a socially important field. Simultaneously it indicates new areas worthy of scientific endeavor. PETR ZUMAN Clarkson Pots&m, New,
Imagining Tomorrow. $17.50.
Edited by JOSEPH J.
CORN.
Uni\~er.sit)
York
13676
MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1986. 237 pp.,
This book presents 10 essays by well-known writers of what was the future as predicted by the past. Radio, X-rays, nuclear engineering plastics, computers, architecture, and homes are discussed. Some of the predictions are fairly accurate and reasonable while others were grotesque. The differences between imagination and reality make interesting reading. DAVID B.
SABINE
185 Old Broadway Hustings-on-Hudson New York 10706 253 0026-265X187
$1.50
Copyright 0 1987 by Academx Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
BOOK REVIEWS Forensic Science, 2nd Ed. EDITED BY G. DAVIES. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC. pp., $59.95.
1986. x + 390
This book, which is a collection of chapters written by specialists in individual areas, deals with the definition and history of forensic science, particularly in the United States, with education, training, and research in this area of specialization, but also brings examples of important practical applications of chemical and other methods in this field. Even when chapters on the advances in breath-alcohol analysis, in the science of fingerprints, or in genetic marker systems which enable the solving of problems involving parenthood and are used in cases of blood or body fluid transfer make interesting reading, the readers of this journal will profit mostly from chapters dealing with applications of microand trace analytical methods. In the area of analysis for drugs, the use of HPLC methods with their high selectivity became predominant. Examples of uv-visible. fluorometric, electrochemical, and mass spectrometric detection are given and examples of the combination of such detectors in multidetection modes are discussed together with some examples of postcolumn. on-line derivatization. For firearms, residue detection anodic stripping voltammetry enabled the determination of Pb and Sb, whereas Ba was determined by atomic absorption. The same elements and some others (usually less useful in characterization of the gunshot residue) can also be determined by proton-induced X-ray emission. For organic residues, TLC, GS-MS, and HPLC are successfully used. The size and morphology of gunshot residue particles can be identified using scanning electron microscopy. Explosive residues in bombing scene investigations are identified and determined mostly by chromatographic techniques (TLC, GC, and HPLC-with uv, thermal energy analyzer. and electrochemical detectors. as well as ion chromatography). In some cases also IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry. and other techniques such as NMR and ESR are used. In the detection and identification of accelerant residues (such as gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, turpentine) chromatographic methods (mostly GC) are used. Samples are obtained by headspace. distillation. extraction, or adsorption methods. Finally, in forensic microscopy, size. shape. color, transparency, surface. homogeneity, and contrast are observed, as well as pleochroism, refractive index. anisotropy. birefringence. and signs of stress or elongation. Overall this volume presents fascinating examples of the use of modern analytical methods. It is recommended not only to those with a special interest in the field of forensic microanalysis but also to other analytical chemists as a source of inspiraion. It clearly demonstrates how microchemical procedures often developed for other, frequently academic, purposes can be successfully applied in a socially important field. Simultaneously it indicates new areas worthy of scientific endeavor. PETR ZUMAN Clarkson Pots&m, New,
Imagining Tomorrow. $17.50.
Edited by JOSEPH J.
CORN.
Uni\~er.sit)
York
13676
MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1986. 237 pp.,
This book presents 10 essays by well-known writers of what was the future as predicted by the past. Radio, X-rays, nuclear engineering plastics, computers, architecture, and homes are discussed. Some of the predictions are fairly accurate and reasonable while others were grotesque. The differences between imagination and reality make interesting reading. DAVID B.
SABINE
185 Old Broadway Hustings-on-Hudson New York 10706 253 0026-265X187
$1.50
Copyright 0 1987 by Academx Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.