Journal of Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
SCOPUS
  • Year: 2022
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue: 2

Qualitative Estimation of Petroleum Products on Paper, Cotton, Wood, Cloth using GC-FID

1Student of M.Sc. Department of Forensic Science, Chandigarh University, Gharuan

2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Science, Chandigarh University, Gharuan

*Corresponding Author : Saniya Sharma, Student of M.Sc. Forensic Science, Department of Forensic Science, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Phone: +91-, E-mail: saniyasharma4200@gmail.com

Online Published on 28 July, 2023.

Abstract

The current work aims to investigate the presence of petrol, kerosene, diesel and motor oil on four kinds of exhibits: paper, cloth, wood and cotton after their partial burning. The purpose of this study is to enlighten the choice of selection of target exhibits at the arson scene that will surely serve the detection of ignitable liquids.

The experimentation was performed after preparing 20 samples from the obtained 20 exhibits after the 2 days of procurement of using the n-hexane for extraction followed by the analysis on an indispensable tool named GC-FID.

Based on the physio-chemical properties of petroleum products along the characteristics of the exhibits, positive results have been obtained indicating the presence of petroleum products in the samples highlighting the detection levels ranging from low to intermediate to high degrees.

Low level of petrol has been detected in paper indicating due to less adsorption stimulates the evaporation of petrol to greater extent than from the other exhibits.

On the contrary, best results have been encountered for petrol detection from cotton and cloth (made up of Cotton fabric) reflecting the good retention capacity and the best material to select at the time of collection of fire debris.

Keywords

Arson, Accelerants, Petroleum Product, Fuel, Ignitable Liquids, Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID)