Review of Analytical Techniques for Arson Residues

Abstract

Arson is a serious crime that affects society through cost, property damage, and loss of life. It is important that the methods and technologies applied by fire investigators in detection of evidence and subsequent analyses have a high degree of reliability, sensitivity, and be subject to rigorous quality control and assurance. There have been considerable advances in the field of arson investigation since the 1950s. Classification of ignitable liquids has been updated to include many new categories due to developments in the petroleum industry. Techniques such as steam or vacuum distillation and gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection that may have been considered acceptable--even a benchmark--40 years ago, are nowadays generally disfavored, to the extent that their implementation may almost be considered as ignorance in the field. The advent of readily available mass spectrometric techniques has revolutionized the field of fire debris analysis, increasing the degree of sensitivity and discrimination possible considerably. Multi-dimensional GC--particularly GC x GC--while not yet widely applied, is rapidly gaining recognition as an important technique. This comprehensive review focuses on techniques and practices used in fire investigation, from scene investigation to analysis.

Thermal Injuries in Veterinary Forensic Pathology

“…This procedure may help to determine whether a victim was alive and inhaling gases at the time of a fire. 55,58 Smoke and gas inhalation with subsequent respiratory failure is the leading cause of death in human fire victims 19 but also plays a significant role in animals. 18,79 Smoke contains toxic particles resulting from incomplete combustion of natural or synthetic materials like room or stable furnishings, clothing, plastics, and other materials causing chemical injury to the tracheobronchial airways and the pulmonary parenchyma.…”

Extraction and concentration of vapors from fire debris for forensic purposes: Evaluation of the use of Radiello Passive Air Sampler

“…However, none of them is ideal due to the large range of chemical and physical properties found in ignitable liquids, but also because their traces matrix is often decomposed or even carbonized [1,2]. Solvent extraction [3] is one of the oldest methods used in fire and arson scene examination.…”

“…SPME and dynamic headspace extraction methods are more sensitive compared to passive headspace extraction, but it is very difficult to conduct additional analysis and the original state of the sample is lost, which in a forensic perspective makes any counter expertise impossible. Passive headspace extraction with ACS does not share this drawback since the strip may be cut in two parts after having been exposed to the headspace; one part is then analyzed while the other is preserved as an archive [2]. Furthermore, the ACS passive headspace extraction technique is considered very sensitive as quantifiable vapors can be extracted from volumes as low as 0.1 L of ignitable liquids from the debris.…”

Identification of Characteristic Volatile Organic Compounds Released during the Decomposition Process of Human Remains and Analogues

“…Commercially available, ACS is a relatively simple, clean, and sensitive method that minimizes preparation and handling time [125][126][127]. Best described as an adsorbent carbon that is impregnated upon a flexible polymer substrate, it is often employed with a technique known as passive headspace concentration extraction [128]. This non-destructive and versatile method requires an air tight container (e.g., paint can) where the ACS is suspended, for a specific period of time, in the headspace of a sample, allowing for the adsorption of the target analyte(s) onto the surface (Figure 3).…”

“…Thereafter, the strip is removed, the target analyte(s) are extracted using a solvent, such as carbon disulfide or diethyl ether, and subsequently analyzed [128,129].…”