Comparative Analysis of Lead in Rats Organs Using FAAS and XRF: Insight on Suitable Equipment in Forensic Investigation of Heavy Metal Poisoning in Humans

Abstract

On suspicion of deliberate or accidental poisoning of individuals with heavy metals such as lead, mercury or arsenic, forensic examinations of an unexplained cause of death may be performed. For the detection and quantification of lead in biological samples, limited analytical equipment are available, particularly in resource-poor countries. The precision and sensitivity of various equipment used may also vary significantly. In toxicological investigations involving metal poisoning, this variability may elude the detection of minute quantity of toxic metal. The study investigated the use of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) metal analyzer for Comparative… Orji, C. E et al.