• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.195-199
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• 2012

The records of 255 cyanide poisoning deaths obtained from National Forensic Service (NFS) headquarters, located in Seoul of Korea, from 2005 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age was $41.88{\pm}13.09$ and range was 6~80 years (unknown in seven cases). The number of deaths of males and females were 200 and 53, respectively (unknown in two cases). The largest number of cases occurred in people aged 40-49 years (81 cases, 31.8%), followed by the age groups 30~39 years (51 cases, 20%), 50~59 years (44 cases, 17.2%) and 20~29 years (43 cases, 16.9%). The total number of deaths among other age groups (below 10, 10~19, 60~69, 70~79, over 80 years and unknown) were 36, representing only 14.1%. Of all cyanide poisoning deaths, 97.3% were due to suicide, and 14.5% of the total number who died received medical treatment. The most frequent site for ingestion was the person's own residence (120 cases, 47.1%) and the route of administration was mainly oral (252, 98.8%). From the total of 255 cyanide poisoning cases, white powders were submitted for analysis in 92 cases. Potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide occupied 51 and 41 cases, respectively. This study showed that poisoning deaths due to cyanide are one of the continuously reported public health problems in Korea. Enforcement of regulations and safety education to prevent cyanide poisoning should be carried out by the government.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2018

Detection of bloodstains is a very important process in scientific investigations, and luminol is often used for the detection of bloodstains that are not visible. Recently, new preparation methods of blood detection reagents based on luminol (BloodFlareA, B) were developed and reported to have higher active persistence and to be more economical than conventional blood detection reagent, BlueStar forensic. In this paper, we tested the specificity and effect of the BloodFlares (A and B) on DNA and compared them with those of BlueStar forensic. False positive results for the BloodFlares were not observed in semen, saliva, vaginal fluids, urine, sweat, and nasal discharge, but were observed in $CuSO_4$, $FeSO_4$, and bleach solutions, and the observed patterns were similar to those of BlueStar forensic. The effect on DNA was determined by analyzing the DNA yield, degradation index, and DNA profiling. Based on these results, we concluded that the BloodFlares based on luminol do not affect DNA stability and are applicable in forensics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.32-38
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• 2015

In this paper, we analyzed the vehicle fire accidents due to damage of vehicle's electrical components, which is applied to a vehicle. In recent development of electrical components technology, approximately 40% of vehicle manufacturing parts have applied electronic circuit technology. Phenomenon such deterioration of insulating performance or electric breakdown on the vehicle's electrical components and printed circuit boards(PCBs) resulted from moisture, contamination and aging due to repetitive operations, lead to the vehicle fire. Therefore, the application of electrical components with adequate electric capacity for vehicle and usage of molding techniques using a non-combustible materials to shut off the oxygen should be applied in order to prevent vehicle fire due to damage of the electrical components and PCBs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.16-21
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• 2017

Fire or electrical problem while DC electric traction vehicle operation caused by various reasons can lead to not only suspension of the operation, but also severe aftermath such as massive casualty. In this paper, fire analysis on DC electric traction vehicle caused by electrical breakdown on line breaker, which is in connection with the power supply, is presented. When the electric arc, the by-product of frequent line breaker operation, is not fully diminished, it leads to electrical breakdown and fire. Especially, electrical breakdown can be easily induced by the open-and-close operation of inner contractor inside line breaker, eventually followed by ground fault and generation of transient current. Electric arc is consequent on the ground fault and acts as possible ignition source, leading to fire. Also, during the repetitive operation of the line breaker, the contactor is separated each other and some copper powder is generated, and the copper powder provided breakdown path, resulting in fire.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.317-325
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• 2017

The EDR(Event Data Recorder) is a part of the ACU(Airbag Control Unit) functions mounted on a vehicle. EDR data have pre-crash data and post-crash data. Pre-crash data are recorded within 5 sec from time zero(AE) with 0.5 sec resolution, and reveal vehicle speed, engine rotation speed, throttle opening, brake pedal operation, acceleration pedal position and steering angle, etc. Using this EDR data, the investigation of a traffic accident can become more objective and scientific. Crash tests of three vehicles equipped with EDR function had been performed successfully. Evaluation of EDR data reliability had also been performed using Vbox and PC-Crash's sequence table function. Based on the results, we could confirm EDR data's reliability and availability for Traffic Accident Analysis by the series of this process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.13-19
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• 2017

In this paper, study of vehicle fire cases caused by connector and power wiring of anti-lock brake system(ABS) module damage is presented. The purpose of ABS module is to improve braking and steering ability under sudden stop of the vehicle by repeatedly activating and releasing the brake with electric signal via electric control unit. The electric control unit for ABS may experience incomplete contact between power line and signal line or electrical breakdown on the printed circuit board by undergoing repetitive signal change which would consequently result in electrical heat and spark, eventually leading to automotive fire. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide fundamental data by analyzing connector and power wiring of ABS module damage conducive to the precise investigation on the cause of vehicle fire.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.23-28
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• 2011

This paper studied combustion characteristics of the building materials such as polyurethane-foam, sponge type sound-absorbing materials and styrofoam. To estimate of the combustion characteristics, we carried out combustion experiment of the building materials. And then to evaluate the suitability of the building materials, we measured heat release rate(HRR) and smoke density(Ds) of polyurethane-foam, sponge type sound-absorbing materials and styrofoam using by a cone-calorimeter. From the combustion experimental results, the general type sound-absorbing materials (GSAM) and styrofoam were rapid burned simultaneously with ignition and the incombustibility type sound-absorbing materials(ISAM) and polyurethane-foam had all gone out simultaneously with ignition. Measured results of HRR and Ds were not satisfied KS F ISO 5660-1 and IMO FTP Code, from the results, the polyurethane-foam, the sponge type sound-absorbing material and the styrofoam were ill-suited for using building interior materials.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.356-361
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• 2018

It is common to analyze volatile organic compound (VOC) or semi-VOC (SVOC) in a sample composed of a complex matrix consisting of multiple components such as bloods through a separation process. Adsorption is a physical phenomenon in which certain components accumulate on the surface of other phases. In order to overcome difficulties in the pretreatment process, an adsorption is frequently used. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) equipment with porous carbon carboxen (CAR) is an example of adsorption application. In this study, the adsorption of 4-octylphenol to carboxen was examined. To do so, the extraction efficiency for such solvents as dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$, DCM), ethylacetate ($CH_3COOC_2H_5$, EA) and diethylether ($C_2H_5OC_2H_5$, $Et_2O$) was studied and also the derivatization reaction for 4-octylphenol with reagents of bistrimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), methylchloroformate (MCF) and pentafluorobenzylbromide (PFBBr) was compared. The combination of DCM and BSTFA showed good performance thus they were adopted for this study. Thermodynamic adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption process was endothermic and Freundlich isotherm equation was more suitable than Langmuir isotherm. It was also found that the adsorption followed a pseudo-$2^{nd}$ order kinetic model.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.16-19
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• 2011

본 논문은 건축물 내장재로 사용되는 폴리우레탄폼 및 스티로폼의 연소특성에 관하여 연구하였다. 연소특성 평가를 위하여 폴리우레탄폼 및 스티로폼을 대상으로 연소실험을 수행하였으며, 건축용 내장재 사용의 적합성 평가를 위하여 콘칼로리미터법을 이용한 열방출률 및 연기밀도를 측정 분석하였다. 연소특성 실험 결과, 일반 재질의 폴리우레탄폼은 착화와 동시에 급속히 연소되는 특성을 나타내었으며, 난연 처리된 폴리우레탄폼은 착화와 동시에 자체적으로 소화되는 특성을 나타내었다. 스티로폼은 착화 이후 서서히 연소 확대되며, 이후에는 가장 격렬히 연소되는 특성을 나타내었다. 방출률 및 연기밀도는 한국산업규격 KS F ISO 5660-1 및 국제해사기구의 FTP Code를 만족하지 못하는 것으로 평가되었으며, 이러한 결과로 볼 때, 폴리우레탄폼 및 스티로폼은 건축용 내장재로 사용하기 부적합한 것으로 판단된다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.306-309
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• 2011

본 연구에서는 정확한 화재원인 분석 및 사기범죄 여부 확인을 위하여 극초단파를 직접 휴대전화에 조사하고, 이때 발생되는 휴대전화의 손상형태를 분석하였다. 극초단파 조사를 위하여 전자레인지를 이용하였으며, 전자레인지의 마그네트론에서 발생되는 2.45 GHz의 극초단파가 휴대전화에 인가될 때 휴대전화의 손상형태를 분석하였다. 실험 결과, 휴대전화에 극초단파를 조사하는 경우, 조사 시간이 길어짐에 따라 심하게 손상되는 경향을 나타내었으며, 특히, 폴더의 힌지 부분 및 인테나 부분과 같이 금속이 설치되는 부분이 심하게 열변형되는 결과를 나타내었다. 휴대전화의 배터리 부분은 외함이 열변형되는 것 이외에 배터리의 손상이나 폭발 등은 발생되지 않는 것으로 평가되었다.