NCJ Number
196325
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2002 Pages: 797-804
Date Published
July 2002
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes the determination of luminescent europium B-diketonates used as tracers for shadowing pursuits.
Abstract
This study used markers with red luminescence under ultraviolet light as tracers for shadowing pursuits in a variety of criminal cases. The luminescent markers were a mixture of 1 percent europium B-diketonates in Vaseline as the carrier. The visual detection limit under ultraviolet light was 1-100 ppm. Six types of europium B-diketonates were extracted with acetonitrile and promptly identified using both fluorescence spectrophotometry and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry at the detection limits of 10-100 ppb. Vaseline was readily analyzed by gas chromatography. The markers were scientifically identified for criminal proof in the field of forensic science. The paper describes three examples of the use of luminescent markers. Various types of luminescent markers were produced by changing the types of ligands in the europium complexes. Furthermore, the paper claims, more types of markers can be prepared by changing the types of rare earth metals in the complexes. Figures, table, references