Skip to main content
Chemistry LibreTexts

Arson

  • Page ID
    65203
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Analysis of Carpet Samples for Flammables

    Objective

    To identify the flammable used, if any, to start a fire at the crime scene or elsewhere.

    Sample

    Simulated burned carpet from the fire's point of origin. Prepare the sample in the following way.

    Place 40 drops flammable liquid on a carpet sample (1.5" x 1.5"), and set the carpet on fire with a match (in a pan in the fume hood). Douse the flame with water after 2 minutes. Shake the burned carpet sample to remove water, and then place it in a paint can. Seal and label the can.

    Reagents

    Set of flammables (10 mL each) -- ethanol, gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, paint thinner; DFLEX activated charcoal strips (Albrayco Laboratories; 500 Corporate Row, Cromwell, CT 06416) used to collect volatile organics; carpet remnant

    Standard Reference Material

    None

    Method

    Gas chromatography

    Special equipment

    Capillary gas chromatograph with DB-1 (methyl silane) or DB-5 (phenyl methyl silane) column and flame ionization detector; 1-pint unused paint cans (from paint store); adjustable-temperature oven; 2-mL chromatography vials with screw caps

    Procedure

    For instructor (detailed); For student (brief)

    Typical results

    Chromatograms of gasoline vapor and kerosene vapor: 1 µL injection of liquid sample at a 1:40 split; temperature-programmed separation; 1 mL/min helium flow; DB-5 column (30-m length, 0.25-m i.d., 0.25-µm film thickness).

    ArsonChromatogram.PNG

    Alternate Method

    Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry

    Procedure

    (planned for next edition)


    This page titled Arson is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Contributor.

    • Was this article helpful?