Forensic lipstick analysis using chemical fingerprinting via gas chromatography

CHED 314

Ann Engebretson, aengebretson01@hamline.edu and Daniel M. Besemann, dbesemann@hamline.edu. Department of Chemistry, Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104-1284
Approximately one hundred lipstick samples were extracted with acetone, with the extract subsequently analyzed via gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID). Nearly all of the studied samples produced a unique pattern of chromatographic peaks, indicating that GC/FID is a reliable (albeit destructive) method for differentiating among lipstick samples. Using the collected data, a searchable database of known lipstick samples can be compiled. Chromatograms of unknown lipstick samples, such as those collected from a crime scene, can be compared to this database, potentially providing investigators with another piece of evidence in a forensic investigation.