A Survey of Canadian Gasolines (2004)

Abstract

Seventy-six motor gasolines, collected in 2004 from five different regions across Canada (Pacific, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic), and representing three different grades from 12 different refiners/retailers of gasoline, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Each sample was analyzed in its unevaporated state as well as at three different levels of evaporation (50, 75, and 90% by volume). The resulting total ion chromatographic patterns and extracted ion profiles (EIPs) from these samples were compared and differences discussed in the context of identifying gasoline recovered from a fire scene. RÉSUMÉ Soixante-seize échantillons d'essence, recueillis en 2004 de cinq régions du Canada (pacifique, les prairies, Ontario, Québec et atlantique), et représentant trois grades de douze différents détaillants ou raffineurs d'essence, ont été analysés par chromatographie en phase gazeuse jumelée à la spectrométrie de masse. Chaque échantillon a été analysé tel quel ainsi qu'à trois niveaux d'évaporation (50, 75 et 90% par volume). Les profils TIC et EIP obtenus ont été comparés et les différences observées sont présentées dans le contexte de l'identification de l'essence récupérée d'une scène d'incendie.

Survey of American (USA) Gasolines (2008)

“…Additionally, the ratio of the alkane pattern to the aromatic pattern had historically been c. 1:10 in this laboratory for a sample similarly evaporated. The alkane EIP patterns observed in this study showed a range of normal and branched alkane (isoparaffin) response from one end of the spectrum to another, which was different than that observed by Sandercock (16,17). While the samples chosen and displayed in Fig.…”

“…The alkane EIP patterns observed in this study showed a range of normal and branched alkane (isoparaffin) response from one end of the spectrum to another, which was different than that observed by Sandercock . While the samples chosen and displayed in Fig.…”

“…Once the samples were evaporated to the 90% level, the difference in the relative toluene concentration was no longer evident. This was also observed by Sandercock . Figure shows one of the five samples tested that had elevated toluene levels both when fresh and 50% evaporated.…”

“…The other large peak elutes at 2.7 min and was tentatively identified as isooctane (2,2,4‐trimethylpentane). These two compounds were also found by Sandercock , but they were found individually in two samples, not both in the same sample. With the alkane EIP mirroring the cycloparaffin/alkene EIP, and the fact that the alkane EIP has more than twice the response of the aromatic EIP, the EIP patterns display more like a light isoparaffinic product than gasoline; however, the TIC combined with the width of the aromatic response clearly indicate gasoline (Fig.…”

Modern Instrumental Limits of Identification of Ignitable Liquids in Forensic Fire Debris Analysis

“…Additionally, the relative abundances of the constituents of the ignitable liquid can vary considerably from one sample to another due to differences in formulation, weathering, etc. [32][33][34]. Consequently, the mass of each individual compound in a sample cannot be reliably tracked as a measure of material on-column.…”