Dermal absorption of kerosene components in rats and the influence of its amount and area of exposure

The influences of amount and area of dermal exposure to kerosene upon the levels of kerosene components in biological samples were examined in vivo and in vitro. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to kerosene through the abdominal skin for 2h. The amounts (soaked in cotton) and area of kerosene exposed were 1 ml/4 cm(2) in Group I, 4 ml/4 cm(2) in Group II, 4 ml/16 cm(2) in Group III and 16 ml/64 cm(2) in Group IV. Before, then 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after exposure, 0.5 ml of blood was collected. Solid tissue samples, including the exposed skin area, were harvested at 120 min. Kerosene components were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Trimethylbenzens (TMBs) that are easily absorbed kerosene components, appeared at 5-20 min. The time course changes in TMB levels in blood were significantly different between Groups I and II or Groups I and III, and almost identical between Groups II and III. Similar trends were observed in tissue samples at 120 min. High concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHCs) were detected in the exposed skin and the AHC levels were dependent on the amount of kerosene exposed per unit area. These results suggest that (1) dermal absorption of kerosene occurs soon after dermal exposure started, (2) absorption of TMBs is influenced by the total amount of kerosene rather than area of exposure, and (3) AHCs remaining in the skin at significant levels are influenced by the amount of kerosene per unit area exposed.     

纵火现场中汽油、煤油和柴油残留物的ATD／GC／MS法检测

目的为火场中汽油、煤油和柴油残留物的检测建立一种简便、高灵敏度的ATD／GC／MS检验方法。方法采用Tenax TA吸附管吸附富集检材中的汽油、煤油和柴油成分。然后用美国PE公司的ATD／GC／MS仪器进行全自动的解吸和分析检测。结果检材中汽油、煤油和柴油的检测极限分别达0．05、0.2、0．2pL／mL。结论该方法具解吸和分析检测过程自动化。操作简便快捷，检测灵敏度高。杂质干扰少等特点，可用于实际火场皆汽油、煤油和柴油残留物的检测。     

应用SPME-GL／MS检测放火现场中助燃剂的研究

运用GC/MS拜利用自制的萃取、加热装置,研究在纵火现场助燃剂一汽油、煤油、柴油检测中固相微萃取的萃取温度和萃取时间对检测灵敏度的影响,确定了适于实际检案中采用的萃取时间和萃取温度.此法测定汽油、煤油、柴油的检出限分别为0.65 pl/ml、1.63pl/ml和1.63 pl/ml.     

Absorption of ignitable liquids into polyethylene/polyvinylidine dichloride bags

Clear plastic bags are often used for the collection, sampling and storage of ignitable liquid evidence. They are popular because they are easy to store. transport and are inexpensive. Cryovac and Globus brand polyethylene/polyvinylidine dichloride bags were tested for suitability in storing ignitable liquid evidence. Standards of diesel, kerosene and gasoline were placed in the bags and sampled by passive headspace adsorption. The bags were then heated to determine if absorbed components of the standards could be released upon heating. Recovered extracts were analyzed by GC and GCMS. These bags were found to absorb components of diesel, kerosene, and gasoline. and were also found to produce interfering by-products that obstruct the chromatographic results. Evidence containers need to be tested to ensure that low levels of ignitable liquids are not missed.     

A solid-phase microextraction method for the detection of ignitable liquids in fire debris

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) procedure involving direct contact between the SPME fibers and the solid matrix and subsequent gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis for the detection of accelerants in fire debris is described. The extraction performances of six fibers (100 mum polydimethylsiloxane, 65 mum polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene, 85 mum polyacrylate, 85 mum carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane, 70 mum Carbowax-divinylbenzene, and 50/30 mum divinylbenzene-Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane) were investigated by directly immersing the fibers into gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel. For simulated fire debris, in the direct contact extraction method, the SPME fiber was kept in contact with the fire debris matrix during extraction by penetrating plastic bags wrapping the sample. This method gave comparable results to the headspace SPME method in the extraction of gasoline and kerosene, and gave an improved recovery of low-volatile components in the extraction of diesel fuel from fire debris. The results demonstrate that this procedure is suitable as a simple and rapid screening method for detecting ignitable liquids in fire debris packed in plastic bags.     

应用SPME—GC／MS／PFPD技术测定烃类及硫化物标记物鉴别汽油、煤油、柴油燃烧残留物

目的利用汽油、煤油、柴油等助燃剂中特殊的硫化合物类标记物,建立一种新型的火场助燃剂残留物分析方法。方法应用固相微萃取气质联用一脉冲火焰光度检测器（SPMBGC／MS／PFPD）技术同步测定烃类、芳香烃类及硫化合物类。结果确定了13种特征硫化合物。质谱烃类数据和PFPD硫化合物数据稳定,RSD％值分别≤0．75和≤1．29。结论该方法能对各种纵火现场助燃剂微量燃烧残留物进行有效鉴别。     

Intratracheal gas analysis for volatile substances by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry--application to forensic autopsies

Intratracheal gas analysis was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in 20 burned body cases (13 males and 7 females). Volatile aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected by GC/MS using a GS-Q column with the intratracheal gas as well as the blood in 19 cases. The characteristic patterns of mass chromatograms for gasoline, kerosene (gas oil), and liquid petroleum gas could be differentiated from each other using the intratracheal gas. The burned body in one case showed no presence of volatile substances in the intratracheal gas, nor intratracheal soot, although high concentrations (1 microg/g and more) of volatile substances were detected on the clothes. The victim also had normal CO-Hb concentrations (0.1 to 0.2%) in the heart blood. The results of intratracheal gas analysis were consistent with signs of the vital reaction. In conclusion, intratracheal gas analysis provides a supportive method for diagnosing the cause of death in burned bodies, and yields for at least 48 hours valuable information on volatile hydrocarbons (being detected in deliberate or accidental fire cases) to which the body had been exposed just before death.     

"First pass phenomenon" of inhaled gas in the fire victims

We investigated the differences in the levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), cyanide (HCN) and petroleum fuels (gasoline and kerosene) between left and right ventricular bloods from fire victims. COHb was slightly, and HCN and petroleum fuels were markedly higher levels in the left than those in the right. These effects were so called 'first pass phenomena' due to the circulation, diffusion and metabolization before the deaths of fire victims.     

GC/MS/MS时间编程在火灾现场助燃剂检测中的应用

运用Varian SATURN2000气质联用仪通过GC/MS、GC/MS/MS、时间编程 GC/MS/MS对汽油样品进行分析比对,发现利用时间编程GC/MS/MS,对检测火灾现场残留汽油效果很好,可彻底排除样品中基体的背景干扰,大大提高检测灵敏度;同时对混合助燃剂（汽油+煤油、汽油+柴油）进行了实验探索。     

固相微萃取与气相色谱仪联用技术在火场助燃剂检验中的应用

目的建立检验纵火案件现场燃烧残留物中助燃剂的一种方法。方法利用固相微萃取器吸附浓缩燃烧残留物中的挥发性气体,使用气相色谱仪对挥发性气体进行定性分析。结果固相微萃取与气相色谱仪联用能较好地对火场不同介质燃烧残留物中汽油、煤油、柴油等助燃剂进行种类认定。结论该方法简便易行。     

Demystifying "oxi" cocaine: Chemical profiling analysis of a "new Brazilian drug" from Acre State

Recent information from various sources suggests that a new illicit drug, called "oxi", is being spread across Brazil. It would be used in the smoked form and it would look like to crack cocaine: usually small yellowish or light brown stones. As fully released in the media, "oxi" would differ from crack cocaine in the sense that crack would contain carbonate or bicarbonate salts whereas "oxi" would include the addition of calcium oxide and kerosene (or gasoline). In this context, this work presents a chemical profiling comparative study between "oxi" street samples seized by the Civil Police of the State of Acre (CP/AC) and samples associated with both international and interstate drug trafficking seized by the Brazilian Federal Police in Acre (FP/AC). The outcome of this work assisted Brazilian authorities to stop inaccurate and alarmist releases on this issue. It may be of good use by the forensic community in order to better understand matters in their efforts to guide local law enforcement agencies in case such claims reach the international illicit market.     

Ignitable liquid identification using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry data by projected difference resolution mapping and fuzzy rule-building expert system classification

The gasoline and kerosene collected from different locations in the United States were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) followed by chemometric analysis. Classifications based on two-way profiles and target component ratios were compared. The projected difference resolution (PDR) mapping was applied to measure the differences among the ignitable liquid (IL) samples by their GC/MS profiles quantitatively. Fuzzy rule-building expert systems (FuRESs) were applied to classify individual ILs. The FuRES models yielded correct classification rates greater than 90% for discriminating between samples. PDR mapping, a new method for characterizing complex data sets was consistent with the FuRES classification result.     

Effect of Substrate Interferences from High‐Density Polyethylene on Association of Simulated Ignitable Liquid Residues with the Corresponding Liquid

The effect of substrate interferences from high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) on the ability to associate an ignitable liquid residue with the corresponding liquid standard, using statistical procedures, is demonstrated. Gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluid, at three different evaporation levels, were spiked onto HDPE and subsequently burned to generate simulated ignitable liquid residues (ILRs). Samples were extracted using a passive headspace procedure and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The total ion chromatograms were subjected to data pretreatment procedures prior to principal components analysis and Pearson product moment correlation. Using the combination of these statistical procedures, simulated ILRs were successfully associated with the corresponding liquid type, despite the presence of compounds inherent to the HDPE substrate, as well as those resulting from pyrolysis of the substrate.     

Protracted suicide as a criminalistic problem

The authors suggest to reserve the expression "combined" suicide to cases, where a combination of several suicide methods were previously intended. The other cases, where the victims proceed from ohne failing attempt to the other by using different methods and finally succeed after a certain period should be called "protracted" or "prolongated" suicides. Two typical cases are presented. In the first case a young man tried to commit suicide by causing a traffic accident, then tried to stab himself. Afterwards he ingested motor oil and tranquillizers and finally succeeds in jumping from a crane. The second case deals with an elderly man who tried to kill himself by stabbing at the chest and the head. After he failed, he was drinking kerosene and at last he was throwing himself out of a window.     

Effect of evaporation and matrix interferences on the association of simulated ignitable liquid residues to the corresponding liquid standard

Identification of an ignitable liquid in fire debris evidence can be complicated due to evaporation of the liquid, matrix interferences, and thermal degradation of both the liquid and the matrix. In this research, liquids extracted from simulated fire debris were compared to the original liquid using multivariate statistical procedures. Neat and evaporated gasoline and kerosene standards were spiked onto nylon carpet, which was subsequently burned. The ignitable liquid residues were extracted using a passive headspace procedure and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal components analysis were used to compare the liquids extracted from the carpet to the corresponding neat liquid. For each procedure, association of the extracts according to liquid type was possible, albeit not necessarily to the specific evaporation level. Of the three procedures investigated, principal components analysis offered the most promise since contributions from matrix interferences were essentially eliminated.     

GC-MS of ignitable liquids using solvent-desorbed SPME for automated analysis

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is well documented with respect to its convenience and applicability to sampling volatiles. Nonetheless, fire debris analysts have yet to widely adopt SPME as a viable extraction technique, although several fire debris studies have demonstrated the utility of SPME coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify ignitable liquids. This work considers the expansion of SPME sampling from the customary thermal desorption mode to solvent-based analyte desorption for the analysis of ignitable residues. SPME extraction fibers are desorbed in 30 microL of nonaqueous solvent to yield a solution amenable to conventional GC-MS analysis with standard autosampler apparatus. This approach retains the advantages of convenience and sampling time associated with thermal desorption while simultaneously improving the flexibility and throughput of the method. Based on sampling results for three ignitable liquids (gasoline, kerosene, anddiesel fuel) in direct comparisons with the widely used activated charcoal strip (ACS) method this methodology appears to be a viable alternative to the routinely used ACS method.     

Preventing paraffin-related injury

Paraffin (called kerosene in North America and other parts of the world) is the most commonly used fuel in ?non-electrified dwellings worldwide. It is especially popular in Africa and South Asia. Although paraffin ?offers many advantages-especially its comparatively low cost to produce-it poses two major risks of ?injury. First, paraffin poisoning is common, either through ingestion or through inhalation of smoke and ?fumes. Second, paraffin is highly flammable, and poses fire risk through multiple causes. This commentary ?discusses strategies to prevent paraffin-related injury. Prevention of paraffin-related injury must be through ?multiple strategies, and should include policy-oriented change, changes to the safety of home environments, ?and behavioral changes targeting how individuals store and use paraffin and paraffin appliances. We review ?successful prevention strategies in each of these domains and discuss appropriate research and community ?initiatives that should be implemented to improve paraffin safety among at-risk populations. ?     

Compositional analysis for identification of arson accelerants by electron ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance high-resolution mass spectrometry

Elemental compositions of each of 100 to 500 different constituents (i.e., every peak in a mass-to-charge ratio range, 50 < m/z < 300) of lighter fluid, kerosene, turpatine, gasoline, diesel fuel, and two brands of mineral spirits (and their weathered analogs) make possible direct identification of each accelerant in a experimental fire, based on electron ionization 6.0 Tesla Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (EI FT-ICR) ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. Septum injection of as little as 500 nL of accelerant into an all-glass heated inlet system yields definitive elemental compositions (molecular formulas) based on accurate (< +/-1 ppm average error) mass measurement alone. Extraction and EI FT-ICR mass analysis of fire debris from a controlled burn of a couch with simple (lighter fluid) and complex (turpatine) ignitable liquid yielded dozens of elemental compositions serving as a unique "fingerprint" for each petroleum product, despite the presence of up to 249 additional extracted matrix and pyrolysis components. Forty-five of 56 lighter fluid constituents and 126 of 133 turpatine constituents (not counting 13C-containing species) were identified in the debris from a fire staged for each respective accelerant.     

Study of fatal burns cases in Kanpur (India)

Epidemiological and medicolegal, including forensic pathological, aspects of 180 cases of fatal burns were studied in Kanpur (India) during the period of one year (October 1985 to September 1986). These constituted 10.79% of the total medicolegal deaths autopsied. Majority of the victims were young Hindu housewives burnt within 5 years of their marriage. The most common source of fire was cooking apparatus like chulha, coalfire, stove or cooking gas. In a substantial number of cases, kerosene oil was poured over the victims and fired with a match stick. About half of the burn cases were accidental, in which cooking on open unguarded flames and loose highly inflammable synthetic sarees of the victims can be blamed. Among the others who died in suspicious circumstances, i.e., burnt alive or forced to commit suicide by fire, dowry and family quarrels and marital disharmony were the two important predisposing factors. Illiteracy, arranged and child marriages, joint family structure, oedipal dominance of mother-in-laws, unemployment and economic dependence of the husband on the parents, near complete dependence of women on their husbands and inlaws, and lack of social security amongst Hindu females were other contributory factors affecting the incidence in some way. Male burn deaths were few and usually accidental.