Analysis of oil-based ignitable liquid residues by GC–MS and DART–MS

• NCJ Number: 310800
• Journal: Forensic Chemistry Volume: 46 Dated: December 2025
• Author(s): Wen Dong; Ngee Sing Chong; Qudus Ayodeji Thanni; Peter De Boves Harrington; Mengliang Zhang
• Date Published: October 2025
• Grant Number(s): 15PNIJ-23-GG-04223-RESS
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Recovery and Analysis of Less Volatile Components for the Identification of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Debris - Continuation of current NIJ-funded project (2020-DQ-BX-0003)

Abstract

Fatty acid-based ignitable liquids (ILs), such as biodiesels and bio-based lighter fluids, represent a growing class of accelerants with limited forensic characterization. In this study, we applied gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART–MS) to analyze plant oil-derived IL residues on wood and fabric substrates. ILs were prepared from ten different plant oils, subjected to burning, and extracted from fire debris using the ASTM E1412 activated charcoal method. GC–MS analysis resolved characteristic fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and identified diagnostic fragment ions (m/z 55, 67, 74, 79). The fragmentation patterns of unsaturated and saturated FAMEs were systematically examined and compared against experimental data and reference spectra from online databases, demonstrating strong agreement and validating the reliability of these ion ratios as qualitative indicators of FAME saturation. DART–MS enabled rapid confirmation of major unsaturated FAMEs through the detection of protonated molecular ions, offering complementary identification without chromatographic separation. Chemometric analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance-PCA revealed that FAME profiles were strongly dependent on the IL sources and remained reliable across replicate preparations and synthesis conditions, while substrate and combustion effects were mitigated using targeted ion extraction. These findings demonstrate the practical casework relevance of combining GC–MS and DART–MS for the detection and classification of fatty acid–based ILs in fire debris, providing robust chemical evidence to support arson investigations and to guide the inclusion of these emerging accelerants in forensic ignitable-liquid classification schemes.

(Publisher abstract provided.)