Differentiation of Asphalt and Smoke Condensates from Liquid Petroleum Distillates Using GC/MS

Volume 43, Issue 1 (January 1998)

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ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1998
Page Count: 17

Differentiation of Asphalt and Smoke Condensates from Liquid Petroleum Distillates Using GC/MS
Lentini, JJ
Director, Fire Investigation Laboratory, Applied Technical Services, Inc., GA

(Received 5 March 1997; accepted 6 May 1997)

Abstract

A method of comparing selected ion profiles of fire debris extracts for the purpose of differentiating background residues produced by burning asphalt from liquid petroleum distillates is discussed. Passive headspace concentration (ASTM E 1412) has the capacity to fractionate asphalt condensates, resulting in the production of chromatographic patterns remarkably similar to fuel oils. By examining the alkenes produced when asphalt burns, the smoke condensates can be differentiated from kerosene or diesel fuel.

Keywords:
forensic science, criminalistics, asphalt, fire debris, gas chromatographic analysis, mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS16096J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS16096J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

Author Title Differentiation of Asphalt and Smoke Condensates from Liquid Petroleum Distillates Using GC/MS Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E30

		SEDL / Journals / Journal of Forensic Sciences (JOFS) / Citation Page Volume 43, Issue 1 (January 1998) Click here to download this paper now for $25 PDF (696K) View License Agreement ISSN: 0022-1198 CODEN: JFSCA Published Online: 1 January 1998 Page Count: 17 Differentiation of Asphalt and Smoke Condensates from Liquid Petroleum Distillates Using GC/MS Lentini, JJ Director, Fire Investigation Laboratory, Applied Technical Services, Inc., GA (Received 5 March 1997; accepted 6 May 1997) Abstract A method of comparing selected ion profiles of fire debris extracts for the purpose of differentiating background residues produced by burning asphalt from liquid petroleum distillates is discussed. Passive headspace concentration (ASTM E 1412) has the capacity to fractionate asphalt condensates, resulting in the production of chromatographic patterns remarkably similar to fuel oils. By examining the alkenes produced when asphalt burns, the smoke condensates can be differentiated from kerosene or diesel fuel. Keywords: forensic science, criminalistics, asphalt, fire debris, gas chromatographic analysis, mass spectrometry Paper ID: JFS16096J DOI: 10.1520/JFS16096J ASTM International is a member of CrossRef. Author Title Differentiation of Asphalt and Smoke Condensates from Liquid Petroleum Distillates Using GC/MS Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E30