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Title: DETECTION OF ACCELERANTS IN FIRE DEBRIS USING A PORTABLE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS SPECTROMETER
DETECTION OF ACCELERANTS IN FIRE DEBRIS USING A PORTABLE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS SPECTROMETER

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Niculina-Sonia Suvar; Maria Prodan; Andrei Szollosi-Mota; Alimina Iuliana Toplician
10.5593/sgem2025/5.1/s19.007
10.5593/sgem2025/5.1
1314-2704
978-619-7603-85-9
English
25
5.1
• Prof. Dr. hab. oec. Baiba Rivza, LATVIA• Prof. DSc. Ildiko Tulbure, GERMANY• Prof. DSc. Oleksandr Trofymchuk, UKRAINE
Ecology, Biodiversity, and Environmental Protection
Analyzing fire debris is essential for identifying accelerants that may indicate arson. Detecting fire residues remains a significant analytical challenge due to the complexity of burned materials, the volatilization of key compounds, and the interference of pyrolysis byproducts. However, chromatographic separation techniques and mass spectral selectivity advancements provide promising avenues for improving detection accuracy and reliability. Recent developments in portable Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems have enhanced analytical capabilities, allowing on-site identification of accelerants with high sensitivity and selectivity. The identification of flammable liquid residues at the scene of a fire can constitute significant evidence to determine whether the fire was intentionally set.
This study employed a portable Torion-type gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer to detect and analyze flammable substances potentially involved in fire ignition. Four common accelerants - propylene, ethanol, acetone, and methanol - were examined using cotton substrates. After optimizing the analytical method, the substrates were incinerated and subsequently treated with the same flammable liquids to evaluate the performance and reliability of the detection technique.
The findings confirm that portable GC-MS can efficiently identify accelerant residues at fire scenes. The research contributes to the ongoing refinement of methods for accelerant detection techniques, supporting both scientific advancements and practical applications in fire analysis.
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This work was carried out through the “Core program” of the National Research, Development and Innovation Plan 2022-2026, supported by MCID, project no. PN EXH2 INSEMEX project no. PN-23 32 02 01 and IOSIN- PCDIEX.
conference
https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2025/5.1/s19.007
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DETECTION OF ACCELERANTS IN FIRE DEBRIS USING A PORTABLE GAS CHROMATOGRAPH-MASS SPECTROMETER
Proceedings of 25th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2025, Volume 25, Issue 5.1
25th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2025, Volume 25, Issue 5.1, 29 June - 6 July, 2025
Proceedings Paper
STEF92 Technology
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM
SWS Scholarly Society; Acad Sci Czech Republ; Latvian Acad Sci; Polish Acad Sci; Russian Acad Sci; Serbian Acad Sci and Arts; Natl Acad Sci Ukraine; Natl Acad Sci Armenia; Sci Council Japan; European Acad Sci, Arts and Letters; Acad Fine Arts Zagreb Croatia; Croatian Acad Sci and Arts; Acad Sci Moldova; Montenegrin Acad Sci and Arts; Georgian Acad Sci; Acad Fine Arts and Design Bratislava; Russian Acad Arts; Turkish Acad Sci.
61-68
29 June - 6 July, 2025
website
10449
Fire debris analysis, Accelerant detection, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Analytical Chemistry, Arson.

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