Effects of several typical plastic combustion residues on gasoline

Abstract In order to solve the interference caused by polymer materials on gasoline accelerants in arson cases, the characteristics of residues after combustion of some typical plastics are studied. Comparing it to the combustion residue of gasoline, we discussed the interference in gasoline detection. The results show that the combustion products of these plastics mainly interfere with the alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline. Polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride mainly produce C9-C16 branched-chain and straight-chain alkanes. Polystyrene and ABS resin generated C5 and C6 alkanes, also generated C1-benzene, C2 - benzene, and styrene. It mainly affects the identification of aromatic hydrocarbons in gasoline combustion residues. Understanding the types and characteristics of products in the combustion residues of these plastics can provide powerful evidence for fire investigators and criminal technicians in physical evidence identification.