Journal Published Online: 01 January 1983
Volume 28, Issue 1

A Comparison of Ionization Techniques for Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy Analysis of Dye and Lachrymator Residues from Exploding Bank Security Devices

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Electron impact (EI) ionization, positive ion chemical ionization (PICI), and negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) have been applied to the analysis of the dye and tear gases used in common bank security devices. A direct comparison of these ionization techniques showed that chemical ionization methods are more sensitive than electron impact ionization for these chemicals. The choice of NICI or PICI depends on the tear gas or dye of interest and the chemical nature of interfering substances on the evidence. We demonstrate that a procedure which uses GC/MS with one or more of these ionization techniques can provide the sensitivity and selectivity required to detect and identify submicrogram quantities of these chemicals on forensic science evidence without extensive specimen preparation.

Author Information

Martz, RM
Chemistry/Toxicology Unit, Scientific Analysis Section, FBI Laboratory, Washington, DC
Reutter, DJ
Forensic Science Research Unit, Forensic Science Research and Training Center, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
Lasswell, LD
Chemistry/Toxicology Unit, Scientific Analysis Section, FBI Laboratory, Washington, DC
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS12252J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12252J