Post-mortem test for low-boiling arson residues of gasoline by gas chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry.
Using headspace capillary GC-MS with ion-trap detection, the additive in motor gasoline, MTBE (methyl tert.-butyl ether), was spotted in the blood from five victims of arsons set off with motor gasoline. In the brain from a death of a fire started by ignited isoparaffins, a number of branched C8 alkanes were found. Since 80 control samples of accidental fires, started by non-chemical means, tested negative for MTBE or isoparaffins, the data suggested that post-mortem exams for low-boiling organics may offer a new concept for arson analysis.
Schuberth
J
J
Department of Forensic Chemistry, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
D004987:Ethers / Q000032:analysis; D005391:Firesetting Behavior; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005742:Gasoline / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012997:Solvents / Q000032:analysis; D013548:Sweden
D004987:Ethers; D005742:Gasoline; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D012997:Solvents; C043243:methyl tert-butyl ether