NCJ Number
131252
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 1059-1073
Date Published
1991
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Two research projects that examine the source of turpentine in debris from suspicious fires are presented.
Abstract
The first project focused on identification of type of wood in a fire debris sample. Microscopic analysis was performed on several sections of each sample of wood from cases in which oleoresin was found during the period 1983 through 1989. Out of the 120 samples identified in the 104 cases, 71 were yellow pine, 21 white pine, and 16 Douglas fir mixed with other wood. Thus, in every case that contained wood in which oleoresin was found, there was a softwood present that naturally contained oleoresin. In the second project, known samples of wood were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry for their constituents and compared with turpentine. Alpha pinene, the main component of turpentine was prevalent in the softwoods except for cypress, but was not identified in the hardwoods. Although some hardwoods such as white oak and maple contained terpenes, its presence should not be confused with terpenes present in turpentine during routine arson analysis. Therefore, in most cases that contain terpenes like those present in turpentine, analysts should report their presence, but not suggest that these indicate the use of an accelerant. 11 figures and 14 references (Author abstract modified)