Grzegorz Zadora
Institute of Forensic
Research, Westerplatte 9, 31-033 Krakow, Poland.
Tel. +48(12)4228755,
Fax. +48(12)4223850,
E-mail: gzadora@ies.krakow.pl.
Paper based on a
presentation at the 12th International Symposium on Separation
Sciences, Lipica, Slovenia,
September 27–29, 2006.
Abstract
Samples of dark-red
liquids with acidic sediments, and petroleum odour were examined. Analyses using
automated thermal desorption followed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry
(ATD-GC/MS), scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray
spectrometer (SEM-EDX) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), allowed us to
conclude that the samples were probably residues of an illegal activity
involving the removal of Solvent Yellow 124 from heating gas oil. The aim of the
present work is to illustrate the application of common analytical procedures
used in forensic laboratories for analysis of complex samples, and aided by
expert knowledge in problem solving.
Keywords: illegal fuels, forensic sciences, ATD-GC/MS, SEM-EDX, XRF, Solvent Yellow 124