Forensic Expertise of a Suspicious Red Paste: An Emergency On-Site Response to Identify an Unknown Product

As part of a forensic expert assessment requested by the courts, our team was mobilized for an emergency on-site response following the discovery of a disturbing unknown product. An envelope containing a threatening letter accompanied by a suspicious red paste was reported by the authorities. Given the potential health and safety risks, rapid and specialized action was imperative.

How to analyze an unknown product? Rigor and cutting-edge technologies

Our mission was to assess the chemical and toxicological risks associated with the deposited substance. In this type of situation, responsiveness is crucial, but it must be accompanied by extreme scientific rigor.

We mobilized our mobile laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art analytical tools:

• FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrometry: to identify the chemical signature of the organic components of the pulp.
• XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) spectrometry: to detect the presence of toxic inorganic or metallic elements.
• High-precision microscope: to examine the fine structure and texture of the product, and detect potential contaminants.

How to interpret the results of the expert appraisal? Establishing a Chemical Risk Level

• The analysis revealed that the red paste contained compounds characteristic of a rodenticide: rat poison. 
• This substance is known to be harmful, even at low doses, and poses a low chemical risk to anyone who comes into contact with it.

This forensic expert appraisal quickly resolved any doubts about the nature of the product and guided the authorities toward appropriate action, both from a health and safety perspective.

Why call on OSE Services? A team specialized in the appraisal of unknown products

Our laboratory regularly intervenes for the analysis of unknown products, particularly in sensitive contexts where chemical and toxicological risks must be immediately controlled. Whether for companies, institutions, or as part of legal proceedings, our expertise is based on the speed of our response and the precision of our diagnoses.

Need an emergency appraisal?
Our team travels to your site anywhere in France, equipped with comprehensive equipment to identify