[blueunicorn6]

We used to get a positive chemical attack indication on the chemical detection strips by spraying them with insecticide.

[Repeal The 17th]

very similar chemistry

[cynwoody]

We used to get a positive chemical attack indication on the chemical detection strips by spraying them with insecticide.

That's not surprising. Sarin was originally intended to be a new, improved pesticide.

[Texas Songwriter]

There is a greater set of questions which needs to be addressed. Kerry said "I can announce we have found 'signatures' of saran gas in hair and fingernails".

First.....where are the documents which certify those findings? Which lab is the one which performed the tests. Which forensic pathologist is certifying this finding which will drive the USA to war?

Now....I have an even greater concern. My background is in General/Trauma surgery....not pathology. So up front I am not holding myself out as an expert. But we did take forensics in medical school. Nails and hair are commonly examined in cases of suspected poisonings. Most of those poisonings are of a chronic nature.....not an acute nature. That is to say, if someone is poisoned over a period of weeks or months with, say arsenic, this will show up in the hair and nails. If, however someone is poisoned acutely with cyanide the person will be dead in minutes or hours. No finding of toxicity will be found in the hair or nails. There is simply not enough time to incorporate for the toxic agent to be incorported into the hair follicle/shaft or nail or nail matrix and show up on a lab finding. If someone is poisoned with SARAN gas they are usually dead within minutes or hours (not all-depending on the dose received). But that is not what Kerry said. The cells of the nail matrix must take up and incorporate the toxin in the shaft of the hair. Now,....think how much does your hair grow in 2 hours. That is where the poison might show up, but that is very dubious.

I think Kerry lied to Chris Wallace this morning when he said there was laboratory findings of signatures of SARAN in the nails. The people were dead prior to it being able to 'grow in' the shaft of the hair or nail matrix.

I would like to hear from a forensic pathologist as to whether my explanation is reasonable.

[Joe 6-pack]

'We used to get a positive chemical attack indication on the chemical detection strips by spraying them with insecticide."

M8 Detector paper will change color according to the type of chem weapon. M9 will detect the presence, but not indicate the type. Both types give a few false positives, which is actually a good thing for training purposes. Misting some trees or branches in an area with antifreeze is a good way of seeing if your soldiers are monitoring the M9 paper they have attached to their MOPP gear or their buddy's (as long as the environmental folks from the post don't find out about it.)