The extremely sensitive catalytic hydrogen ion reduction wave observed after the formation of a platinum-formazone complex at a mercury electrode in a hydrazine-formaldehyde-H₂SO₄ medium has been utilised to determine platinum voltammetrically in well characterised platinum inorganic complexes (oxidation states 0, II and IV) and in biological, geological and water samples. Experimental conditions have been optimised and sample-treatment procedures for various matrices have been critically evaluated for the quantification of platinum by the standard additions method. The determination of platinum in geological samples by this method has been compared with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method. Both conventional and portable field-based instrumentation have been used in the studies, and the possibility of developing a field-based method for the determination of platinum has been investigated. Despite the inherent sensitivity of the method, which enables concentrations down to 0.01 p.p.b. to be detected in simple matrices, natural levels in water and biological materials, where matrix effects suppress the voltammetric response, are often below the detection limit.