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Arson Accelerant Analysis by Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy

Ray, Stephen P.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu997554724

Abstract Details

1998, Master of Science in Chemistry, Youngstown State University, Department of Chemistry.
Arson is a serious problem both locally and nationally. In 1994, the National Fire Protection Association reported over 100,000 arson fires with over $1.2 billion in damages and 550 deaths. Locally, in 1996, Youngstown had 326 arson fires with almost $4.0 million in damages and five deaths. Often these fires are accelerated by flammable materials. Organic, petroleum-based, non-water soluble solvents, such as gasoline, can be detected at very low concentrations after an intense fire by several well developed techniques. However, water soluble solvents, such as methyl (wood), ethyl (grain), and isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol have proven to be difficult to analyze. Not only does the water used to extinguish the fire wash away the accelerant by convection, it also disperses it by dissolution. Additionally, most techniques used for analysis require organic solvents to dissolve the materials to be analyzed. Since the accelerants to be studied are in water, they would need to be extracted with organic solvents reducing their concentration further. Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy (ATR), a relatively sensitive and selective technique, was used to perform analysis on these water-soluble accelerants. Concentration gradient experiments, time controlled burn experiments, and field-controlled burns were performed with detectability in more than 75% of the samples. Mossst tests were on carpet samples, but some tests were on cloth samples as well. Using ATR has proven to be an ideal way to handle those situations where a water-soluble accelerant needs to be detected.
Daryl Mincey (Advisor)
107 p.
Chemistry, Physical
water soluble accelerant; Attenuated Total Reflectance

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ray, S. P. (1998). Arson Accelerant Analysis by Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy [Master's thesis, Youngstown State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu997554724

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ray, Stephen. Arson Accelerant Analysis by Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy. 1998. Youngstown State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu997554724.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ray, Stephen. "Arson Accelerant Analysis by Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy." Master's thesis, Youngstown State University, 1998. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu997554724

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ysu997554724
1,102
© 1998, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Youngstown State University and OhioLINK.