RAPID DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PETROLEUM-PRODUCTS AND RESIDUES BY TLC .1.

A TLC method has been developed for analysis of residues from the petr oleum products (viz. petrol (gasoline), kerosene, and diesel) generall y encountered as accelerants in homicidal or suicidal fire and arson c ases. Ether extracts obtained either directly from partially burnt obj ects (e.g. pieces of clothing, bed sheets, carpets, wood, coal, hay, e tc.) or by extraction of steam distillates from similar samples were c hromatographed with (i) samples of the neat petroleum products (1 mu l ), (ii) solutions in ether of the residues obtained by evaporation of petroleum products, and (iii) naphthalene and alkylnaphthalene standar ds. After chromatography on silica gel developed with n-heptane or iso octane, the plates were inspected under UV light, and then in daylight after spraying with chromic acid followed by rhodamine spray reagent. Naphthalene and its derivatives were converted into corresponding nap hthoquinones which, in turn, gave greenish blue condensation products on reaction with rhodamine spray reagent. The method is quick, simple, inexpensive, sensitive, and selective for the detection and character ization of petrol, kerosene, diesel, and their residues in forensic wo rk.