CLINICAL/FORENSICS
2
Arson Accelerants
GC
GC
GC
ArsonAccelerants
Analyses of fire debris for accelerants commonly
are performed on non-polar columns, like the
Rtx
®
-1 column. Thick film columns give better
resolution for the low boiling point compounds
that are components of gasoline. Thinner film
columns provide better resolution and shorter
analysis times for highermolecular weight com-
pounds in diesel fuels.However, by choosing the
appropriate column dimensions and analytical
parameters, a wide range of petroleum products
canbe tested for on a single column.
Accelerants in fire debris are identified through
chromatographic
pattern
comparison.
Accelerants and that have been exposed to high
heat exhibit a "weathered" pattern. Largepropor-
tions of the lower boiling components in any
accelerant will have disappeared in samples that
have undergone severe weathering. We have an
extensive line of petroleum products that have
beenweathered tovarious stagesofweight loss to
aid in the identification of accelerants in fire
debris.
min.
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
DieselFuel
Rtx
®
-1
30m, 0.32mm ID, 1.5µmRtx
®
-1 (cat.# 10169)
1.0µL split injection of a diesel fuel#2 standard (cat.# 31093)
Conc.:
5000µg/mL
Oven temp.:
40°C (hold 5min.) to 300°C@
4°C/min. (hold 5min.)
Inj. / det. temp.:
275°C / 300°C
Carrier gas:
helium
Linear velocity:
30cm/sec.
set@ 40°C
Split ratio:
30:1
GC_MS00275
min.
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Kerosene
Rtx
®
-1
GC_MS00274
30m, 0.32mm ID, 1.5µmRtx
®
-1 (cat.# 10169)
1.0µL split injection of a kerosene standard
(cat.# 31094)
Conc.:
5000µg/mL
Oven temp.:
40°C (hold 5min.) to 300°C@
4°C/min. (hold 5min.)
Inj. / det. temp.:
275°C / 300°C
Carrier gas:
helium
Linear velocity:
30cm/sec. set@ 40°C
Split ratio:
30:1
min.
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
GC_MS00276
MineralSpirits
Rtx
®
-1
30m, 0.32mm ID, 1.5µmRtx
®
-1 (cat.# 10169)
1.0µL split injection of amineral spirits standard
(cat.# 31225)
Conc.:
5000µg/mL
Oven temp.:
40°C (hold 5min.) to 300°C@
4°C/min. (hold 5min.)
Inj. / det. temp.:
275°C / 300°C
Carrier gas:
helium
Linear velocity:
30cm/sec. set@ 40°C
Split ratio:
30:1
free
literature
WeatheredPetroleumAnalytical ReferenceMaterials
lit. cat.# 59215
FireDebris Analysis
lit. cat.# 59574
Call Restek at 800-356-1688 or 814-353-1300, ext. 5, or contact
your Restek representative, to request your free copy!
