ASTM_E_2927_-_13.pdf

Designation:E292713Standard Test Method forDetermination of Trace Elements in Soda-Lime GlassSamples Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled PlasmaMass Spectrometry for Forensic Comparisons1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2927;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONOne objective of a forensic glass examination is to compare glass samples to determine if they canbe discriminated using their physical,optical or chemical properties(for example,color,refractiveindex(RI),density,elemental composition).If the samples are distinguishable in any of theseobserved and measured properties,it may be concluded that they did not originate from the samesource of broken glass.If the samples are indistinguishable in all of these observed and measuredproperties,the possibility that they originated from the same source of glass cannot be eliminated.Theuse of an elemental analysis method such as laser ablation inductively coupled plasma massspectrometry yields high discrimination among sources of glass.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the quantitativeelemental analysis of the following seventeen elements:lithium(Li),magnesium(Mg),aluminum(Al),potassium(K),calcium(Ca),iron(Fe),titanium(Ti),manganese(Mn),rubidium(Rb),strontium(Sr),zirconium(Zr),barium(Ba),lanthanum(La),cerium(Ce),neodymium(Nd),hafnium(Hf)and lead(Pb)through the use of Laser Ablation InductivelyCoupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry(LA-ICP-MS)for theforensic comparison of glass fragments.The potential of theseelements to provide the best discrimination among differentsources of soda-lime glasses has been published elsewhere(1-5).2Silicon(Si)is also monitored for use as an internalstandard.Additional elements can be added as needed,forexample,tin(Sn)can be used to monitor the orientation of floatglass fragments.1.2 The method only consumes approximately 0.4 to 2 g ofglass per replicate and is suitable for the analysis of fullthickness samples as well as irregularly shaped fragments assmall as 0.1 mm by 0.4 mm in dimension.The concentrationsof the elements listed above range from the low parts permillion(gg-1)to percent(%)levels in soda-lime-silicate glass,the most common type encountered in forensic cases.Thisstandard method may be applied for the quantitative analysis ofother glass types;however,some modifications in the referencestandard glasses and the element menu may be required.1.3 This standard does not replace knowledge,skill,ability,experience,education or training and should be used inconjunction with professional judgment.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3E2330 Test Method for Determination of Concentrations ofElements in Glass Samples Using Inductively CoupledPlasma Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS)for Forensic Com-parisonsE177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias inASTM Test Methods1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E30 on ForensicSciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.Current edition approved June 1,2013.Published July 2013.DOI:10.1520/E2927-13.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end ofthis standard.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.Summary of Test Method3.1 The glass fragments usually do not require samplepreparation prior to the LA-ICP-MS analysis.However,theymay be washed with solvents or pre-ablated if necessary.3.2 The glass fragment is placed inside an ablation chamberand a laser beam is focused on the surface of the sample.Whenthe ablation is started,the interaction between the pulsed laserand the sample surface produces a cloud of very smallparticles,which are transported from the ablation cell by acarrier gas into the ICP-MS for analysis.3.3 An ICP-MS is used to quantify the elements of interest.3.4 Quantitative analysis is accomplished using well-characterized glass standards whose major elemental compo-sition is similar to the material to be analyzed.4.Significance and Use4.1 This test method is useful for the determination