In this project, chromatographic analysis was expanded to high performance liquid chromatography with detection by time-of-light mass spectrometry to produce data from reverse phase analysis of selected acid dyes for residential and commercial carpet and disperse dyes used in automotive fabrics.
A major component of trace evidence in crime investigations is generated from fibers. Current standard practice for comparing fibers in cases involves analysis by optical microscopy, microspectrophotometry (visible and infrared), and thin layer chromatography. In the current study, small weights of fibers were analyzed. Liquid chromatography separated the dye components and mass spectrometry data gave exact mass, making sample comparisons nearly unambiguous. The development of optimized liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods and incorporation of the results into a searchable database may provide an improvement in trace evidence analysis involving dyed fibers. (publisher abstract modified)