Gasoline discrimination using infrared spectroscopy and virtual samples based on measurement uncertainty

In a previous work, we proposed a methodology for pair-wise discrimination of gasoline samples by creating virtual samples based on physicochemical assays or distillation curves. Satisfactory results were achieved, although specialist and specific apparatus (not commonly available at police laboratories) were required. The present study goes a step further and for the first time investigates the possibility of infrared (IR) spectroscopy to enable a virtual samples-based methodology for comparison of gasoline samples in pairs. IR spectroscopy feasibility for in situ applications is attractive for forensic investigations. The performances of one handheld NIR device and one dual-range (FT-NIR and FT-IR) benchtop spectrometer were evaluated. The estimation of uncertainty in infrared spectral measurement (needed to generate virtual samples) is barely discussed in literature. So far, there are no literature reports describing quantification and comparison of measurement uncertainties for the spectral acquisitions evaluated here, especially regarding their use for generating virtual samples. A stepwise procedure to quantify uncertainties associated with IR spectral acquisition, at each wavenumber, is described. This method can be useful for understanding both the sources of variability in IR measurements and the system under investigation. Uncertainty estimation was based on experimental data and considered intermediate precision, repeatability and variations in sample temperature as sources of variability. Virtual samples were employed in a discrimination approach using SIMCA models. Results for portable NIR, FT-NIR and FT-IR data sets showed complete discrimination for 96.3%, 93.4% and 93.7% of the 1431 pairs of gasoline samples evaluated, respectively. These results were comparable and similar to those obtained for the physicochemical properties data set (95.7%), although slightly inferior to the result obtained for distillation curves (99.2%). Using IR non-destructive methods in this case could enable faster investigations and simpler analysis, especially for the low-cost handheld spectrometer. In a screening approach, atmospheric distillation assays can be employed only if infrared techniques are not capable of distinguishing the samples subject to comparison. In this work, a pair of samples was considered to be completely discriminated only when a null false positive error (FPR) was achieved, although a more flexible criterium may be acceptable in practice. Finally, the methodology could be extended to other applications where sample comparison is important.