SummaryA method ist described that permits direct comparison of ion chromatograms between an isolate from a suspect fire debris sample and corresponding accelerant profiles. The system is highly automated and produces a diagnostic one page summary report for each sample. Side by side comparison of ion profiles is carried out between 4 common fuel types, e.g. gasoline, naphthenic type charcoal lighter fluid, mineral spirits, and kerosene, and the sample. Both qualitative and semiquantitative information is available. An on-line search can also be carried out in which mass spectra are compared between components in a suspect sample and standards that are contained in an accelerant library. The system is flexible and requires only minimal interaction with the analyst.