An investigation into artefacts formed during gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of firearms propellant that contains diphenylamine as the stabiliser. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pigou, Paul; Dennison, Genevieve H.; Johnston, Martin; Kobus, Hilton
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 279(2017)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 147
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Gunshot residue -- Firearms propellant analysis -- Forensic chemistry; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.08.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Identification of artefacts formed during gas chromatography analysis of firearms propellant. Identification of a previously unreported diphenylamine derivative. Identity of artefact confirmed by synthesis. Abstract: In the course of providing assistance to legal counsel in a matter that involved the analysis of firearms propellant by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry it was noticed that phenoxazine was reported as a component of 0.22 calibre propellant that contained diphenylamine as the stabiliser. The research was conducted to find how phenoxazine was formed. The results showed that the compound was not phenoxazine but a diphenylamine derivative 4-(phenylimino) cyclohexa-2, 5-dien-1-one that formed in the injection port of the gas chromatograph. In addition a second artefact was found to form in the ion source of the mass spectrometer. While the presence of the artefacts does not affect the ability to identify particles as propellant they may impact on comparison with source ammunition.