ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 2003
Page Count: 5

Preferential Extraction of Hydrocarbons from Fire Debris Samples by Solid Phase Microextraction
Lloyd, JA
Department of Chemistry, OH

Edmiston, PL
Department of Chemistry, OH

(Received 26 September 2002; accepted 20 September 2002)

Abstract

Headspace analysis by extraction/GC-MS is a common method of detecting volatile hydrocarbon accelerants in fire debris samples. Solid-phase microextraction was tested to determine if there is selective extraction of chemically distinct compounds. It was found that both the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Carboxen/PDMS solid phase microextraction fibers show preferential extraction of aliphatic or aromatic compounds from the headspace depending on fiber type and temperature. The Carboxen/PDMS fiber type showed particular (although not exclusive) selectivity for extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons. Other experimental considerations of SPME are noted.

Keywords:
forensic science, arson, fire debris, accelerant detection, solid-phase microextraction, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS2002223
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2002223
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