RECONSTRUCTED ION CHROMATOGRAM OF BRAIN TISSUE FROM FIRE VICTIM

Six peaks appear at m/z 73, 78,  and 91+106.Peaks: 1=methyl tert.-butyl ether ( MTBE), 2=benzene, 3=toluene, 4=ethylbenzene, and 5-6=xylene.

The hydrocarbons (peaks 2-6) may be derived from pyrolyzed plastics as well as from motor gasoline, and these substances can, therefore, not be used as accelerant indicators. MTBE (peak 1), which is an additive in gasoline and not formed as a pyrolysis product, should, on the other hand, be an excellent gasoline and arson indicator when present in post-mortem samples from a fire victim.

Conclusion: The results of the arson analysis of Jim´s remains, thus, indicate that he shortly before the fire had been exposed to gasoline. Since the fire rapidly and totally ruined Jim´s house, it probably generated very high temperatures. Owing to its low boiling point (55.2°C), MTBE was not found in the fire debris outside the body, and the data from the analysis of the post-mortem materials thus yielded the only technical evidence for an arson.

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