Gasoline Identification.pdf

The identification of gasoline residues in fire debris samples can be challenging due to the complexity of gasoline composition, which is defined and controlled by physical properties, and its presence in fire debris is based on the identification of its chemical composition. External factors may add to the complexity, and part of the gasoline may be lost due to evaporation or decomposition. Fire debris experts must have broad knowledge of both the variation in the chemical composition of gasoline and the factors that may affect this composition. Different guidelines can be found in literature on the identification of gasoline in fire debris samples, including minimum criteria that should be met for a positive identification and warnings to avoid false positives. These minimum criteria focus on the main compounds in gasoline, including the aromatics and the more volatile alkanes, with the necessity of both being present, usually with aromatics more abundant than alkanes. The addition of oxygenates, such as octane enhancers, to gasoline may vary from blend to blend, and their use may be restricted by country regulations. The presence of an octane enhancer is recommended as a minimum criterion for a positive identification of gasoline in fire debris samples.