Journal Published Online: 01 January 1994
Volume 39, Issue 1

Detection of Trace Levels of Gasoline in Arson Cases by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry with an Automatic On-Line Thermal Desorber

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A method for the analysis of trace levels of gasoline in arson debris using an automatic thermal desorber (TD) and commercial Tenax adsorbent tubes is described. First, a static headspace screening test is performed by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Suspected gasoline is reanalyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Gasoline traces smaller than 10 μL in a 1 liter volume are analyzed by a dynamic heated headspace procedure with thermal desorption and GC-MS after adsorption on 45 mg Tenax tubes. The desorption of adsorbed vapors is carried out by heating the tubes; the analytes are focused in cryogenic units cooled with liquid nitrogen. The cryofocused vapor sample is flash-heated for injection into the capillary column of the GC. The dynamic heated headspace technique (TD-GC-MS) is suitable for analyses of trace amounts of gasoline (0.1–10 µL in 1 liter volume).

Author Information

Kärkkäinen, M
National Bureau of Investigation, Crime Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
Seppälä, I
National Bureau of Investigation, Crime Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
Himberg, K
National Bureau of Investigation, Crime Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS13584J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13584J