Journal Published Online: 01 January 2003
Volume 48, Issue 1

An Alternative Method to Screen for Pepper Spray Residue

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A method was developed to screen for pepper spray residue using instruments and methods other than those techniques commonly employed to analyze chemical residue (i.e., gas chromatography mass spectrometry-GCMS or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-LCMS). The method employed gas chromatography (GC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to screen for dried pepper spray stains. Pepper sprays from nine different manufacturers were investigated. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin were identified and unique IR reflectance spectra are presented. An additional five compounds were presumptively found. Results showed that a particular stain could be characterized as a pepper-based stain.

Author Information

Gillis, TD
Santa Clara County District Attorney's Crime Lab
Kubic, TA
City University of New York
De Forest, PR
City University of New York
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JFS2002233
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2002233