Page 199 - Advances in Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry - Jehuda Yinon

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5.2 Analysis of Ignitable Liquids in Fire Debris and the Role
of GC/MS/MS
5.2.1 Introduction
5.2.2 Specificity — The Key to Difficult Samples
5.2.2.1 Specificity Improvement —
Chromatographic
5.2.2.2 Specificity Improvement — Detection
5.2.2.3 Specificity Improvement — Data Processing
Software
5.2.2.4 Specificity Improvement — Hardware
5.2.3 Analysis by GC/MS/MS
5.2.3.1 GC/MS and GC/MS/MS Spectra Comparison
5.2.4 GC/MS/MS — Target Class Analysis
5.2.4.1 GC/MS/MS — Chemical Analysis —
Examples
5.2.4.2 Appropriate Sensitivity
5.2.4.3 Disadvantages
5.2.4.4 Benefits
5.2.5 Conclusion
References

5.1 The Use of Compound-Specific MS/MS for the
Identification of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire
Debris Analysis

José R. Almirall and Jeannette Perr

5.1.1 Introduction
The crime of arson is very difficult to prosecute for several reasons, including
the usual lack of physical evidence at the crime scene and the difficulty in
associating with a particular suspect any physical evidence found, such as the
presence of an ignitable liquid residue. The detection and identification of
an ignitable liquid residue, the term used for the compounds or mixtures of
compounds often used to accelerate a fire, is one of the first steps in the
investigation of a suspected arson. As often noted, the arson scene can be
quite complex and chaotic. The forensic chemist considers every suspected
arson scene as unique, taking into account all the many different variables
that can affect the extraction and identification of any ignitable liquid resi-
dues present. In a case where there is ample evidence of an ignitable liquid
residue, the analysis of the evidence is very straightforward. The American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International has published several

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