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

Compositional Analysis for Identification of Arson Accelerants by Electron Ionization Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Marshall, AG

Blumer, EN
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, FL

Freitas, MA
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, FL

Rodgers, RP

(Received 26 August 1999; accepted 1 May 2000)

Abstract

Elemental compositions of each of 100 to 500 different constituents (i.e., every peak in a mass-to-charge ratio range, 50 < m/z < 300) of lighter fluid, kerosene, turpatine, gasoline, diesel fuel, and two brands of mineral spirits (and their weathered analogs) make possible direct identification of each accelerant in a experimental fire, based on electron ionization 6.0 Tesla Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (EI FT-ICR) ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. Septum injection of as little as 500 nL of accelerant into an all-glass heated inlet system yields definitive elemental compositions (molecular formulas) based on accurate (< ±1 ppm average error) mass measurement alone. Extraction and EI FT-ICR mass analysis of fire debris from a controlled burn of a couch with simple (lighter fluid) and complex (turpatine) ignitable liquid yielded dozens of elemental compositions serving as a unique “fingerprint” for each petroleum product, despite the presence of up to 249 additional extracted matrix and pyrolysis components. Forty-five of 56 lighter fluid constituents and 126 of 133 turpatine constituents (not counting ¹³C-containing species) were identified in the debris from a fire staged for each respective accelerant.

Keywords:
forensic science, arson, fire debris, arson accelerant, ignitable liquid, weathering, ion cyclotron resonance, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance, mass spectrometry, Fourier transform mass spectrometry, electron ionization, elemental composition

Paper ID: JFS14959J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14959J
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