Covariance mapping in the analysis of ignitable liquids by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

    Authors

    M. E. Sigman;M. R. Williams

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Anal. Chem.

    Keywords

    AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE SAMPLES; FLIGHT MASS-SPECTROMETRY; FIRE DEBRIS; PATTERN-RECOGNITION; FORENSIC ANALYSIS; SIMULATION; Chemistry, Analytical

    Abstract

    The covariance matrix computed from the retention time-ion abundance data matrix from gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry analysis of ignitable liquids is shown to be a useful tool for automated identification of ignitable liquids in a database. The absolute value of the element-by-element difference between two normalized covariance matrices is shown to quantitatively differentiate between ignitable liquids composed of complex mixtures of hydrocarbons and is amenable to automated searching of ignitable liquid databases. The covariance mapping method is applied to a matrix-contaminated postburn sample, allowing the determination of a high degree of similarity between the ignitable liquid and a heavily evaporated gasoline.

    Journal Title

    Analytical Chemistry

    Volume

    78

    Issue/Number

    5

    Publication Date

    1-1-2006

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1713

    Last Page

    1718

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000235921700051

    ISSN

    0003-2700

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