Extraction and Analysis of Low Molecular Weight Alcohols and Acetone from Fire Debris Using Passive Headspace Concentration

Phelps, Joi L.; Chasteen, Carl E.; Render, Michelle M.

doi:10.1520/jfs13585j

Cited by 14 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Currently, one of the most popular methods for isolating ILR from fire debris is passive adsorption onto an activated charcoal strip followed by solvent elution of the ILR using carbon disulfide, pentane, or another appropriate solvent. The performance of this technique has been well studied (1–4) and its procedures have been standardized (5).…”

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confidence: 99%

Comparing the Effects of Weathering and Microbial Degradation on Gasoline Using Principal Components Analysis*

Turner

Goodpaster

2011

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Ignitable liquid residues recovered from a fire scene will often show signs of weathering as a result of exposure to the heat of the fire. In addition, when the substrate is rich in organic matter, both weathering and microbial degradation may be observed. In this study, 20 μL aliquots of fresh gasoline samples were intentionally weathered and also subjected to microbial degradation in potting soil. These samples were then analyzed using a passive adsorption-elution recovery method and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Peak areas from compounds of interest were normalized and autoscaled and then subjected to principal components analysis. This analysis showed that while lower boiling compounds are subject to weathering, a different set of compounds are subject to microbial degradation. Of the compounds studied, heptane, octane, toluene, and ethylbenzene were the most vulnerable to both weathering and microbial degradation. In contrast, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and 2-ethyltoluene were the most resistant to both phenomena.

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confidence: 99%

Comparing the Effects of Weathering and Microbial Degradation on Gasoline Using Principal Components Analysis*

Turner

Goodpaster

2011

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…Identification of E85, however, may require slight modifications to those instrumental conditions to detect the ethanol if a traditional solvent delay is used. Phelps, Chasteen and Render showed that ethanol and other volatile oxygenated compounds could be extracted and identified using passive headspace concentration (8). To date, limited work has been done in the forensic field regarding E85.…”

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confidence: 99%

Extraction of Alternative Fuels from Fire Debris Samples*

Kuk¹,

Spagnola²

2008

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Alternative fuels, specifically biodiesel, biodiesel blends, and E85 fuel, have been gaining a market share over the past few years. With the emergence of these fuels, fire debris analysts should be able to recognize their characteristics since these fuels may be encountered in casework. In this study, pure biodiesel (B100) and a 20% blend of pure biodiesel with petroleum diesel (B20) are examined as liquids and are extracted from debris samples using both passive headspace concentration and solvent extraction. Typical fire debris instrumental conditions are used to analyze these samples. Components of B100 and B20 may be observed in debris samples extracted using the passive headspace concentration method, but the chromatographic patterns are different from the pure liquid samples. When solvent extraction is used as a secondary extraction method on debris samples, the resulting patterns are consistent with the pure liquids of B100 and B20. E85 fuel, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, can be extracted using a typical fire debris extraction technique but requires slight modifications to typical fire debris instrumental conditions. E85 is shown at various stages of evaporation to demonstrate the resiliency of the ethanol. Additionally, samples of E85 were placed on carpet, burned and extinguished to demonstrate the effects of the suppression medium on the retention of ethanol.

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Introduction to Fire Debris Analysis

Baerncopf¹,

Thomas²

2019

Forensic Analysis of Fire Debris and Explosives

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Extraction and Analysis of Low Molecular Weight Alcohols and Acetone from Fire Debris Using Passive Headspace Concentration

Cited by 14 publications

References 8 publications

Comparing the Effects of Weathering and Microbial Degradation on Gasoline Using Principal Components Analysis*

Comparing the Effects of Weathering and Microbial Degradation on Gasoline Using Principal Components Analysis*

Extraction of Alternative Fuels from Fire Debris Samples*

Introduction to Fire Debris Analysis

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