Post-mortem test for low-boiling arson residues of gasoline by gas chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry

Using headspace capillary GC-MS with ion-trap detection, the additive in motor gasoline, MTBE (methyl tert.-butyl ether), was spotted in the blood from five victims of arsons set off with motor gasoline. In the brain from a death of a fire started by ignited isoparaffins, a number of branched C8 alkanes were found. Since 80 control samples of accidental fires, started by non-chemical means, tested negative for MTBE or isoparaffins, the data suggested that post-mortem exams for low-boiling organics may offer a new concept for arson analysis.