Tetramethylammonium(TMA, tetramine) is a toxic quaternary ammonium compound, consisting of four methyl groups attached to a central nitrogen atom. TMA has been detected in a number of marine organism that are eaten by humans. In the past, most cases of TMA intoxication have occurred through eating seafood containing TMA, such as carnivorous gastropods. Nowadays, TMA hydroxide(TMAH) that decomposes to produce TMA is used widely in the manufacture of semiconductors and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). As a result, the case of TMA intoxication is increasing. TMA acts directly on nicotinic and muscarinic receptors that are responsible for depolarization and, at high doses, blockage of depolarization. TMA may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, impaired vision, temporary blindness, salivation, lacrimation, fasciculation and convulsion and motor paralysis. The symptoms of TMA intoxication generally are mild and transient because of rapid elimination of TMA from the body. However, in severe cases, paralysis of the respiratory muscles can occur and this causes death. In this study, we analyzed TMA in femoral blood, heart blood and gastric contents of victim. The concentrations of TMA in femoral blood and heart blood were 7.95 mg/L and 13.1 mg/L, respectively. This case can be considered as a good reference when studying the relationship between TMA-induced death and blood concentration.
목차
Abstract Ⅰ. 서론 Ⅱ. 재료 및 방법 1. 사건개요 2. 약물 분석 3. 테트라민 분석 Ⅲ. 결과 및 고찰 Ⅳ. 참고문헌
키워드
Biological specimenPoisoningTetramine
저자
이상기 [ Sangki Lee | 성균관대학교 과학수사학과 연구원, 교수 ]
Corresponding author
법과학 분야는 사회정의 구현에 있어 크나큰 가치가 있음에도 불구하고 우리나라에서는 이 분야에 대한 인식이 미흡하여 선진 외국에 비해 침체되어 있는 실정이다. 이에 우리나라에서도 법과학 분야와 관련 있는 학계, 연구기관, 수사기관 등 유관 단체들로 구성된 한국 법과학회를 창립하여 이 분야를 활성화 시켜 과학수사를 한층 더 발전시키기 위함을 목적으로 한다.