Citation

Muller D, Levy A, Shelef R. Forensic Sci. Int. 2011; 206(1-3): 150-154.

Affiliation

Division of Identification and Forensic Science, Israel Police, National Headquarters, Jerusalem 91906, Israel.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.031

PMID

20729020

Abstract

An arson suspect's contact with an ignitable liquid container can leave small traces of the substance on his hands, but detecting these traces is difficult. This research paper presents a method to obtain clear gasoline detection even 3h after hands have been moistened with 50muL of gasoline using activated charcoal strips to adsorb the ignitable liquid traces directly from the suspect's hands. Light heating of the hands to 45 degrees C significantly increases the ability to detect gasoline traces. This methodology is part of a system to sample a suspect's hands at the scene of crime or in a police station. Samples are taken by investigators then analyzed in a laboratory. The suggested method provides an important improvement in detection sensitivity for ignitable liquids on suspect's hands.

Language: en