Mount Royal University team uses GC×GC–TOF MS to gather data to increase conviction rates in wildfire arson cases

Gwen O’Sullivan and Nadin Boegelsack at Mount Royal University, Canada, use GC×GC–TOF MS to identify ignitable liquid residues from complex wildfire debris samples.

Professor Gwen O’Sullivan and Nadin Boegelsack, environmental forensics researchers at Mount Royal University in Alberta, Canada, investigate the causes of wildfires by searching for ignitable liquid residues (ILRs) – remnants of accelerants – in wildfire debris samples. Determining the presence of an ILR and the type and source of accelerant used in arsonous fires can provide key evidence for conviction in arson cases.