Forensic analysis of gasoline on burnt carpet by gas chromatography technique
The presence of ignitable liquid residues is important to confirm the involvement of arson attack in a fire scene. During forensic investigation, the chances of finding sufficient ignitable liquid remained in an unaltered form after a fire is relatively low. Therefore, this study focused on the e...
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| Format: | Monograph |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universiti Sains Malaysia
2016
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/62626/ http://eprints.usm.my/62626/1/MOHAMAD%20ABDIN%20SHKIRIN%20BIN%20SAMRI%20-%20e.pdf |
| Summary: | The presence of ignitable liquid residues is important to confirm the involvement
of arson attack in a fire scene. During forensic investigation, the chances of finding
sufficient ignitable liquid remained in an unaltered form after a fire is relatively low.
Therefore, this study focused on the effect of different fire extinguishing methods in
influencing the possibility of detection of gasoline residues on burnt carpets. In this study, carpets doused with gasoline were burnt to simulated fire condition followed by five
different fire extinguishing methods, namely ABC powder fire extinguisher, water, cloth,
sand and also on self-extinguishment. Through gas chromatography (GC) examination,
the profiles of gasoline residue from simulated conditions were generated. No interfering
product due to the different extinguishing methods was observed. The profiles of gasoline
were still observable when compared with the profile of neat gasoline. However, the
gasoline residue showed some degree of chromatographic swift possibly due to loss of
lighter hydrocarbon compounds. Principal Component Analysis provided an objective
characterisation but it allowed only the differentiation of samples subjected to water
extinguishing method from the others. In conclusion, the study enabled the detection of
gasoline on burnt carpets but the use of varying fire extinguishing methods did not
influence the possibility to detect gasoline on burnt carpets. The findings suggested that
residues of gasoline could still be detected although subjected to extinguishment unless
the gasoline was totally burnt during a fire. |
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