Detection and Characterization of Petroleum Based Accelerants in Fire Debris by HPLC

Abstract

A reverse phase HPLC method has been developed for the detection and characterisation of fire accelerants, viz., petrol (gasoline), kerosene, diesel fuel and their residues, generally encountered in investigations of suspected arson cases. Methanolic solutions of these petroleum products and their residues were analysed on HPLC using C-18 reverse phase column. Mobile phase of Acetonitrile: Water (8:2) at the flow rate of 1 m1/min and UV absorption detection at 275 nm and 285 nm were used. The UV detector at 275 nm and 285 nm gives specificity to detection, as the alkyl naphthalenes (aromatics) predominantly present in these petroleum products/residues have strong, characteristic absorption around 275 and 285 nm. Characteristic patterns of chromatograms coupled with intrachromatographic peak height ratios, generated amongst the peaks of naphthalene, 2-methyl-naphthalene and 2,6-dimethyl-naphthalene identified in the chromatograms of the petroleum products/residues in question, further adds to the specificity of analysis.