Evaluation of Cross-contamination of Nylon Bags with Heavy-loaded Gasoline Fire Debris and with Automotive Paint Thinner.
Nylon bags are used for packaging fire debris in several countries, particularly in Europe. The possibility of cross-contamination during transport from the fire scene to the laboratory, in normal casework conditions in the U.K., was studied for two brands of nylon bags, using simulated heavy-loaded fire debris. Three experiments were carried out with each brand, using as sample a piece of cotton fabric soaked with gasoline. One experiment was carried out using automotive paint thinner (oxygenated solvent). Each sample was sealed in a nylon bag and stored in contact with eight empty bags. The empty bags were analysed at regular intervals for a period of time up to 8 weeks, using SPME and GC/MS. Cross-contamination was found for components of gasoline (toluene and C2-alkylbenzenes) in the two brands of nylon bags used, after 4 days and 2 weeks. Cross-contamination using automotive topcoat thinner was detected after 2 days.
School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, U.K.
Filipa
F
Belchior
School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, U.K.
Stephen P
SP
Andrews
contamination; evidence container; fire debris; forensic science; nylon bag; packaging