The sampling of ignitable liquids on suspects' hands

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_9176DD7F1084
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The sampling of ignitable liquids on suspects' hands
Journal
Forensic Science International
Author(s)
Montani I., Comment S., Delémont O.
ISSN
0379-0738
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/2010
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
194
Number
1-3
Pages
115-124
Language
english
Abstract
In arson cases, the collection and detection of traces of ignitable liquids on a suspect's hands can provide information to a forensic investigation. Police forces currently lack a simple, robust, efficient and reliable solution to perform this type of swabbing.
In this article, we describe a study undertaken to develop a procedure for the collection of ignitable liquid residues on the hands of arson suspects. Sixteen different collection supports were considered and their applicability for the collection of gasoline traces present on hands and their subsequent analysis in a laboratory was evaluated. Background contamination, consisting of volatiles emanating from the collection supports, and collection efficiencies of the different sampling materials were assessed by passive headspace extraction with an activated charcoal strip (DFLEX device) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. After statistical treatment of the results, non-powdered latex gloves were retained as the most suitable method of sampling.
On the basis of the obtained results, a prototype sampling kit was designed and tested. This kit is made of a three compartment multilayer bag enclosed in a sealed metal can and containing three pairs of non-powdered latex gloves: one to be worn by the sampler, one consisting of a blank sample and the last one to be worn by the person suspected to have been in contact with ignitable liquids. The design of the kit was developed to be efficient in preventing external and cross-contaminations.
Keywords
Arson, Flammable liquid, Gasoline, Swab, Gloves, Transfer, Hands,
Create date
23/02/2010 8:47
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:54
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