Reinsch test

The Reinsch Test is an initial indicator to detect the presence of one or more of the following Heavy Metals in a biological sample, and is often used by toxicologists where poisoning by such metals is suspected.

• Antimony
• Arsenic
• Bismuth
• Selenium
• Thallium
• Mercury

Contents

1 Process 2 See also 3 Reference 4 External Links

Process

• Dissolve suspect body fluid or tissue in a hydrochloric acid solution
• Insert a copper strip into the solution.
• The appearance of a silvery coating on the copper may indicate Mercury. A dark coating indicative of the presence of one of the other metals.
• Confirm finding using absorption or emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, or other analytical technique suitable for inorganic analysis.

See also

• Toxicology
• Analytical Chemistry

Reference

• Saferstein R. 2001. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. Prentice Hall

External Links

• Analytical tests for Hg rcm-medicine.upr.clu.edu

See also: Reinsch test, Analytical Chemistry, Antimony, Arsenic, Bismuth, Copper, Heavy Metal, Hydrochloric acid, Inorganic, Mercury (element)