ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 1986
Page Count: 3

Quick Test for Accelerants after Steam Distillation
Fulton, BA
Director of analytical research, Ampex Corp., AL

Meloan, CE
Professor of analytical chemistry, Kansas State University, KS

(Received 11 January 1985; accepted 15 October 1985)

Abstract

Gage-O® paste for gasoline detection is placed on a 3-mm diameter glass rod and inserted for 30 s into the water-organic interface of the distillate in the Barrett receiver after steam distilling the suspected residue. If accelerants such as gasoline, turpentine, paint thinner, or brush cleaner are present, a small white line, which fluoresces intensely with long wavelength ultraviolet radiation, appears. The remaining accelerant can be confirmed by separation with gas chromatography.

Keywords:
criminalistics, accelerants, arson

Paper ID: JFS11116J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11116J
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