Journal Published Online: 01 January 1987
Volume 32, Issue 1

Evaluation of the Abbott TD -Radiative Energy Attenuation (REA) Ethanol Assay in a Study of 1105 Forensic Whole Blood Specimens

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

In a preliminary study to determine the applicability of the Abbott radiative energy attenuation (REA) method for the quantification of ethanol in whole blood specimens it was concluded that a larger number of samples was required to evaluate the method, particularly for use in forensic toxicology applications. In this study, 573 blood specimens from suspected driving while intoxicated individuals (DWI blood) and 532 postmortem blood specimens (PM blood) were analyzed by the REA method and a headspace gas chromatographic method (GC) currently used in this laboratory. “Negative” specimens (<10 mg/dL by GC) and “positive” specimens (≥ 10 mg/dL by GC) in each category were analyzed. Linear regression analysis comparing the REA values with the GC values was performed for each type of blood specimen. The equation obtained for DWI blood specimens was REA = 0.943 GC + 1.54; the equation for PM blood specimens was REA = 0.980 GC + 2.76. The correlation coefficient for each group was greater than 0.99. The data suggested that a limit of detection of 10 mg/dL could be applied for DWI blood specimens, while 20 mg/dL would be recommended as the limit of detection for PM blood specimens.

Author Information

Caplan, YH
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Baltimore, MD
Levine, B
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Baltimore, MD
Pages: 7
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS12326J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12326J