NCJ Number
221026
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 40 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 105-130
Date Published
September 2007
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article presents gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) data from three different grades of gasoline from all regions of Canada to examine chromatographic patterns and the criteria for gasoline identification in forensic casework.
Abstract
The two published methods, ASTM E 1387 and E 1618, provide general guidelines for the identification of gasoline encountered in forensic casework, such as a fire scene. While the concept of an average chromatographic pattern for gasoline as described by the ASTM methods is helpful, it is important to realize that some gasoline samples may deviate significantly from this pattern due to some premium gasoline exhibiting a high concentration of alkanes and a relatively lower concentration of alkylbenzenes. For the identification of gasoline in forensic casework, it is important to have a good reference collection that captures the variety of gasoline being sold to consumers. Seventy-six motor gasolines, collected in 2004 from 5 different regions across Canada and representing 3 different grades from 12 different refiners/retailers of gasoline, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The resulting total ion chromatographic patterns and extracted ion profiles (EIPs) from these samples were compared and differences discussed in the context of identifying gasoline recovered from a fire scene. Tables, figures and references