Evaluation of Internal Standards for the Analysis of Ignitable Liquids in Fire Debris |
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Authors: | Amanda K Locke MSc ; Gene J Basara Bio Sci Dip ; and P Mark L Sandercock PhD |
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Institution: | Student intern, School of Biomedical &Health Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, England, U.K.; Trace Evidence Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police National Forensic Services, 15707 –118th Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5V 1B7, Canada. |
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Abstract: | Abstract: An evaluation of eight compounds for use as an internal standard in fire debris analysis was conducted. Tests were conducted on tetrachloroethylene, chlorobenzene, n-octylbenzene, 3-phenyltolune, and deuterated compounds toluene-d8, styrene-d8, naphthalene-d8, and diphenyl-d10 to measure the extraction efficiency of each compound in the presence of an interfering volatile compound (carbon disulfide). Other tests were conducted to evaluate whether or not the presence of an ignitable liquid or pyrolysis/combustion products from fire debris would interfere with the identification of these compounds when used as an internal standard. The results showed that while any of the eight compounds could be used as an internal standard in fire debris analysis, the more volatile compounds (toluene-d8, tetrachloroethylene, chlorobenzene, and styrene-d8) showed better extraction efficiencies at room temperature than when heated to 60°C. Each of the less volatile compounds (naphthalene-d8, diphenyl-d10, n-octylbenzene, and 3-phenyltolune) performed well during extraction at 60°C, while naphthalene-d8 showed better extraction efficiency in the presence of competing volatiles when extracted at room temperature. |
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Keywords: | forensic science fire debris ignitable liquid internal standard gas chromatography-mass spectrometry |
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