ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 12

GC/MS Data Interpretation for Petroleum Distillate Identification in Contaminated Arson Debris
Keto, RO
Forensic Chemist, Forensic Science Laboratory, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, MD

(Received 23 June 1994; accepted 30 August 1994)

Abstract

Extracted ion profiling (“mass chromatography”) and target compound analysis are compared as complementary techniques for the identification of petroleum distillates in fire debris. The positive and negative aspects of both techniques are discussed, including common pitfalls and interpretation suggestions. Neither technique is superior to the other; each has strong qualities where the other has deficiencies. It is recommended that both techniques be applied to GC/MS data for difficult high-back-ground samples.

Keywords:
forensic science, fire debris, chromatographic analysis, petroleum distillates, mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS13796J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13796J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.