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

• NCJ Number: 246542
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2014 Pages: 52-60
• Author(s): Kaitlin R. Prather M.S.; Suzanne E. Towner M.S.; Victoria L. McGuffin Ph.D.; Ruth W. Smith Ph.D.
• Date Published: January 2014
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

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.

Abstract

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. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.