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

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.

Reference

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