Journal of Chromatography A, 885 (2000) 419–432 www.elsevier.com / locate / chroma Application of solid-phase microextraction to the recovery of explosives and ignitable liquid residues from forensic specimens * K.G. Furton , J.R. Almirall, M. Bi, J. Wang, L. Wu a Department of Chemistry and International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199, USA Abstract A current review of the application of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to the analysis of ignitable liquids and explosive residues is presented along with experimental results demonstrating the relative effects of controllable variables. Variables discussed include fiber chemistry, adsorption and desorption temperatures, extraction and desorption times, fiber sampling placement (direct, headspace, and partial headspace) and matrix effects, including water content. SPME is shown to be an inexpensive, rapid and sensitive method for the analysis of ignitable liquids and high explosives residues from solid debris samples and from aqueous samples. Explosives are readily detected at parts per trillion concentrations and ignitable liquids are reproducibly detected at levels below those using conventional methods.  2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Forensic analysis; Solid-phase microextraction; Explosives; Ignitable liquids 1. Introduction / review confirmation of positive samples that previously went undetected. Finally, the elimination of solvents In the last 5 years, solid-phase microextraction can save forensic science laboratories money and (SPME) has emerged as a powerful sample prepara- reduce the risk of analysts being exposed to toxic tion technique for the analysis of chemical traces substances. from fire and explosion debris. SPME has many In this article, we review the applications of advantages when applied to a variety of samples SPME to the detection of explosive traces and including forensic specimens [1]. SPME allows for ignitable liquid residues, often referred to as acceler- multiple sampling and preservation of the sample ants, and present new data. Interestingly, a coated while minimizing the risk of sample contamination wire adsorption technique was being applied to due to the simplified sample handling afforded by the ignitable liquid analysis the same year SPME was technique. SPME can yield faster case turnaround being introduced [2]. This early technique involved time, is often faster than traditional techniques and the heated headspace (70 or 808C) adsorption of can be readily automated. Additionally, the often ignitable liquids onto carbon-coated aluminum or lower detection limits possible using SPME allow for copper wire followed by n-pentane elution with ultrasonic vibration [3]. The first report of SPME applied to arson analysis was in 1994 [4] in which *Corresponding author. Tel.: 11-305-348-2292; fax: 11-305- 348-3772. SPME demonstrated improved sensitivity for the 0021-9673 / 00 / $ – see front matter  2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0021-9673(00)00368-X