Email This Page   Print This Page
Evaluation of Analytical Methods for Discrimination of Antifreeze
Elana Foster, David Exline, Angela DiFiore, Kristen Clemens
RJ Lee Group


Antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid that has been known to be used criminally as a poison. Antifreeze is composed mostly of ethylene glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG) with a small percentage of proprietary ingredients. The ability to analytically differentiate brands of antifreeze could be beneficial in criminal investigations where antifreeze poisoning is suspected. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) will be evaluated as a means to discriminate various types and brands of antifreeze.