Forensic Sciences/Arson and Explosives

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Arson and Explosive Residue

More Choices, Better Science
Gas chromatography and FT-IR have proven to be valuable techniques in arson investigation and the analysis of explosive materials. An up-and-coming technique, Raman is proving to be highly useful, not only in support of other techniques, but also as one of the first sampling techniques you will want to use.

Gas Chromatography and
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Thermo Fisher Scientific gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry systems are essential tools when evidence exists in trace amounts. In addition to high sensitivity and robust performance, Thermo Fisher Scientific gas chromatography systems include autosampling capabilities for labs running several samples per day, and a Direct Sample Probe for quick screening or for any application that doesn't require a GC column separation.  Read more >>

Xaminer Software for Flammable Liquid Residue Analysis

Xaminer^TM, a software product, provides rapid, automated matching of complex GC/MS data files, can automatically perform flammable liquid residue analysis of samples from arson cases at least 20 times faster than had previously been the case, and produces consistent, unbiased quantitative results every time. Product info >>

Application Notes

• Rapid Identification of Accelerants in Arson Analysis Using GC/TOF-MS and Automated Chromatogram Matching
• Fast GC Detection and Identification of Accelerants in Arson Studies
• Chromatogram Matching as a GC/MS Tool for Automated Identification of Accelerants in Arson Examinations
• Automated Cold-on-Column Injection and the Analysis of Explosive Residues by Negative Chemical Ionization GC/MS

FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopy

As vibrational spectroscopies that deliver molecular information, FT-IR and Raman are useful tools in the identification of materials in fire debris and the identification of explosive residue.

FT-IR spectroscopy has become a tried-and-true chemical analysis method in today's crime lab, and has been shown to readily and easily identify explosive materials such as TNT, RDX and HMX. IR microscopy enables the investigator to sample micron-sized materials, and produce 2- and 3-dimensional chemical maps of suspect materials. Read more >>

Raman spectroscopy offers several additional benefits such as samplng materials in their evidence bags to avoid contanimation, microscopic resolutions down to 1 micron, and the ability to sample materials without removing the substance from its background material. Raman can be added to an existing FT-IR bench from Thermo Fisher Scientific, or run as a standalone system. Read more >>

Application Notes

• Distinguishing the Good, and the Bad from the Ugly with GC and FT-IR
• Soil Studies with TGA-IR and Transmission Analysis 
• Far-IR Analysis of Heavy Metals in Polymers & Ash with ATR