ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

Absorption of Ignitable Liquids into Polyethylene/Polyvinylidine Dichloride Bags
Kocisko, MJ
IN

(Received 22 October 1999; accepted 22 May 2000)

Abstract

Clear plastic bags are often used for the collection, sampling and storage of ignitable liquid evidence. They are popular because they are easy to store, transport and are inexpensive. Cryovac and Globus brand polyethylene/polyvinylidine dichloride bags were tested for suitability in storing ignitable liquid evidence. Standards of diesel, kerosene and gasoline were placed in the bags and sampled by passive headspace adsorption. The bags were then heated to determine if absorbed components of the standards could be released upon heating. Recovered extracts were analyzed by GC and GCMS. These bags were found to absorb components of diesel, kerosene, and gasoline, and were also found to produce interfering by-products that obstruct the chromatographic results. Evidence containers need to be tested to ensure that low levels of ignitable liquids are not missed.

Keywords:
forensic science, criminalistics, arson, ignitable liquids, sampling, evidence bags, polyvinylidine dichloride

Paper ID: JFS14972J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14972J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.