title: Multiple stable isotope characterization as a forensic tool to distinguish acid scavenger samples.
abstract: Acid scavengers are frequently used as stabilizer compounds in a variety of applications. When used to stabilize volatile compounds such as nerve agents, the lower volatility and higher stability of acid scavengers make them more persistent in a post-event forensic setting. Compound-specific isotope analysis of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen in three acid-scavenging compounds (N,N-diethylaniline, tributylamine, and triethylamine) were used as a tool for distinguishing between different samples. Combined analysis of multiple isotopes improved sample resolution, for instance differentiation between triethylamine samples improved from 80% based on carbon alone to 96% when combining with additional isotope data. The compound-specific methods developed here can be applied to instances where these compounds are not pure, such as when mixed with an agent or when found as a residue. Effective sample matching can be crucial for linking compounds at multiple event sites or linking a supply inventory to an event.
authors.affiliation: Chemical and Biological Signature Sciences, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA. james.moran@pnnl.gov
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Helen W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Kreuzer
authors.forename: April J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Carman
authors.forename: Jon H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.forename: Douglas C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Duckworth