Pyrolytic key indicators of burnt porcine tissue in the presence of petrol under outdoor conditions

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide a chemical fingerprint of burnt porcine tissue (Sus domesticus spp.) in the presence of petrol using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The pyrolysis process was followed through using two methods; in the first method, the sample was allowed to continuously burn until auto-ignition was attained and the flames self-extinguished, and in the second method, upon auto-ignition of the sample, the flame was extinguished by placing an empty lid over the tin after the size of the flame reduced to burning within the tin. Six replicates of each method were burnt outdoors and underwent passive headspace extraction using activated carbon tablets. The activated carbon tablets together with the samples were then incubated in an oven for 16 hours at 80 °C. After the incubation process, the tablets were desorbed in 1 mL of pentane and were introduced into the GC-MS. Toluene was detected from the first method whereas 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene was detected from the second method. Pyrolytic key indicators of burnt porcine tissue in the presence of petrol were not detected under the specific environmental conditions implemented in this study. The volume of petrol together with the duration and temperature during the burning process, and the source of flame, played crucial roles in the generation and detection of pyrolytic products obtained during the fire.