Laryngeal teflonoma identified by Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy after forensic autopsy: An interesting tool for foreign material identification in forensic cases

Sébastien Duband (1, 2) , Alexandre Govin (1, 3, 4, 5) , Jean-Marc Dumollard (1) , Fabien Forest (1) , Thierry Basset (6) , Michel Peoc'H (1, 2)

1 Department of Pathology
2 Forensic Medicine Department
3 SPIN-ENSMSE - Centre Sciences des Processus Industriels et Naturels
4 P2MC-ENSMSE - Département Poudres et Matériaux Multi-Composants
5 LPMG-EMSE - Laboratoire des Procédés en Milieux Granulaires
6 Toxicology Department

Forensic pathologists are sometimes confronted with microscopic foreign bodies mixed in with soft tissues surrounding wounds and which are thus difficult to identify. This identification, however, could be primordial in investigating a crime and in determining the weapon used. A case of a fatal respiratory distress syndrome due to conjoining suicidal drug intoxication and laryngeal obstruction by a voluminous foreign body giant cell granuloma is presented. The classical histological examination showed exogenous particles in the vocal cord tumor with birefringent qualities. Their analysis with Fourier-Transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry coupled with infrared microscope allows the determination of their chemical nature as polytetrafluoroethylene and to the diagnosis of teflonoma. This case report put the emphasis on the forensic interest of the FTIR imaging.

Mots clés: Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry; Infrared microscopy; Teflon; Teflonoma; Vocal cords; Systemic granulomatosis

Domaines: Génie des procédés

Sébastien Duband, Alexandre Govin, Jean-Marc Dumollard, Fabien Forest, Thierry Basset, et al.. Laryngeal teflonoma identified by Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy after forensic autopsy: An interesting tool for foreign material identification in forensic cases. Forensic Science International, 2012, 214 (1-3), pp.e26-e29. ⟨10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.036⟩. ⟨hal-00656839⟩