Scenario:

Heyman and Bouckaert used acetylene for 50 operations In ST. Johns Hospital, Pensylvenia , where they used

to work as an general surgeons and reported no excitation phase during induction, with the patient being

anaesthetized without resistance or agitation.

A concentration of 80% acetylene in oxygen induced insensibility and a degree of muscle relaxation in 3 min.

Patients wakened rapidly and seemed in better condition than after cyclopropane or ether.

Although "the disadvantages of the method, the large size of the apparatus, the com-plicated technique, and the

inflammability, are offset by its advantages”. This latter opinion was to be quickly disproved. The OT department

recorded an explosion of acetylene in oxygen caused by the use of thermocautery during laparotomy in 1925.

Mr. Bouckaert described graphically how the patient sustained very severe burns when a huge explosion occurred

as the surgeon was withdrawing the diathermy from the peritoneum. This was followed by another explosion 10

s later, which resulted in the anaesthetic machine being knocked over. There were flames coming from in and

around the mask and face. The patient's hair was on fire. Her gown and the drapes caught fire. The gas mixture

in the reservoir bag then exploded. It is a vivid account of a terrifying incident.

Collection and PreservationSearch Post Blast debris for the potential evidence which may assist in the investigation.

After witnessing the terrifying incident , the patient was sent to medical emergency immediately for the

treatment of respective injuries. Then the department called special Investigation team there and collected the

potential evidences such as

1. The clothes of the patient , after following proper protocols of collection and preservations .

2. The machinery and electrical components of the The Drager model an aesthetic machine ( manufactured in

1924) were collected.

3. Fingerprint’s were developed using proper methods .

4. Materials from the blast site , were collected and swabbing method was used to collect soot deposits and

evidences.

After the collection of the evidences the clothes which were collected from the crime scene , sent to the Biological

Division for further analysis, and the components of the anaesthetic machine was sent to physics and explosives

department for further analysis .

Brief explanation of 1925 

Drager anaesthetic machineThe oxygen cylinder was one of the important inventions in 1846 and first became possible for patients to have

their teeth extracted under anaesthesia. This original ether intoxication was the beginning of anaesthesia

technology, a development which has continued to the present day – to our modern anaesthesia workstations.

Draper’s name has been closely linked with advances in this medical discipline for over 100

years. The development of Dragger anaesthetic machines showed the way forward.

Almost 20 years later, in 1924, engineers at Drudgeworks recalled previous knowledge and rediscovered the circle

system for a modern anaesthetic agent, narcylene . In the Twenties this highly purified acetylene had a definite

role as a first-class, fast and gentle anaesthetic gas. In 1925, the Dräger Narcylene Anaesthetic Machine, came

into being through co-operation with doctors at the University Clinic of Wurzburg. It was based on concepts

developed by Gauss and Wieland.

Laboratory analysis

Sample extraction

1. Organic solvent Extraction- Positive result

2. water Extract- Negative result

3. Alkali Extract- Negative result

4. Pyridine Extract- Negative result

Analysis

As acetylene is colorless and odorless when pure, only a C2H2 gas detector can accurately measure concentrations

of this gas. Two acetylene detection methods are available: either in toxicity with a ppm measurement (PortaSens),

or in explosivity with LEL percentage measurement (combustible gas detector).

Acetylene Gas DetectionThe Sensidyne special range Acetylene sensors (0-50% LEL, 1.25% by volume) for cylinder charging operations

address user requirements for maximum sensitivity and reliable leak detection from below 10% LEL to 25% and

50% LEL alarm levels with excellent accuracy and response time. Acetone, used as a liquid solvent to prevent

explosions, does not interfere with the Sensidyne sensor measurement of Acetylene LEL. The SensAlert ASI is

approved by Factory Mutual (FM) for Class I, Division 1, Group A, hazardous (classified) areas and has SIL-2

certification for both hardware and software.

[LEL- Lower Explosive limit]

The intrinsically safe SensAlert ASI is the best solution for Acetylene cylinder charging facility compliance with

NFPA 51A.

Chemical test for Acetylene1. When Acetylene is bubbled through ammoniacal silver nitrate solution , a yellow-white precipitate of silver

acetylide would be formed. 

2. Similarly, Acetylene forms a red precipitate of copper acetylide , when it is passed through ammoniacal

cuprous chloride solution.

Instrumental Analysis of Acetylene -

Gas Chromatography technique was used in further analysis of Acetylene.

Result- 

Sample showed Positive for acetylene.

Personal Opinion- 

Acetylene was stored at a pressure of 1515 kPa in steel cylinders filled with a porous

material containing acetone, in which acetylene was dissolved. Acetone was necessary to prevent spontaneous

combustion of acetylene; special washing arrangements were being required to remove acetone. A 40-litre

cylinder contained approximately 5 m3 of acetylene. Although the concept of anaesthetizing a patient with an

agent as explosive as acetylene must have been somewhat frightening, according to previous records many

eminent anaesthetists did so and found it to have many advantages compared with ether or chloroform. Shipway,

in 1925 , recommended that induction of anaesthesia should begin with a concentration of 70—80 %acetylene in

oxygen, the concentration then being decreased gradually to a maintenance concentration of 40-50 % acetylene.

Possibly while regulating pressure of gas, the explosion was occurred, as Acetylene is flammable and unstable

gas, even at atmospheric pressure it can explode.

Submission details

Ms. Harshita Toshniwal

Postgraduate in Forensic Science

Topic belongs to Forensic Chemistry

V.P.M.M Arts and Science College for Women (Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University)