Sample preparation for the analysis of fire debris – Past and present

Kerr, Tanya J.

doi:10.1002/jssc.201800556

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Kerr wrote a general review of extraction techniques for fire debris samples, covering technique perspectives, such as solvent extraction, headspace, solid drop micro-extraction, activated carbon, and SPME, and also ignitable liquid and the sample perspectives [ 61 ].…”

Section: Laboratory Examinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpol review of fire investigation 2016–2019

Stauffer

2020

Forensic Science International: Synergy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Laboratory Examinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpol review of fire investigation 2016–2019

Stauffer

2020

Forensic Science International: Synergy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To solve the above-mentioned problems, especially the matrix effects in the fire debris, many kinds of analytical techniques in combination with sample preparation methods have been developed for the analysis of ILRs in fire debris 3,6 . Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is the most widely used analytical technique for the determination of accelerants in fire debris, which is provided by the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM International) standard as a guideline for the identification and classification of ILRs from fire debris 7 .…”

Section: The Detection and Identification Of Cigarette Ash In Fire Dementioning

confidence: 99%

Accurate and rapid discrimination of cigarette and household decoration material ash residues by negative chemical ionization TOFMS via acid-enhanced evaporation

Liu

Xie

Song

2020

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

temperature on the weathering of gasoline 4 , and even examining potential interference of body products and substrates to the identification of ILRs on worn clothing 10. However, differences in the chromatographic conditions and columns can lead to variations in retention times for ILRs from one laboratory to another, making inter-laboratory comparisons of GC-MS profiles challenging. Furthermore, GC-MS is time consuming, which hinders the rapid information collection for arson investigators. Therefore, many novel analytical methods have been developed for the fast and accurate investigation of ILRs in fire debris 3,11-16. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been employed for real time in-situ analysis and depth profiling, which can provide valuable information about fire debris that is complementary to the classification of the original sample components and combustion residues 11. However, the laser-based spectroscopic techniques require expensive and complicated laser devices, which limits the utility of LIBS in practical applications at fire scenes. Headspace-mass spectrometry electronic nose (E-Nose) was proposed for the analysis of ILRs, including the investigation of fire suppression agents and weathering process on ILs with fast determination capabilities, no solvent and absorbent requirement, and easy operation 12-14,17,18. To solve the problem of GC-MS being time-consuming, a new method using direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) without extraction was developed for the fast identification of ILs from substrates 15. Recently, an alternative approach based on the ion mobility spectrometry sum spectrum (IMSSS) from headspace analysis was developed to analyze ILRs in fire debris 16. The results show that IMSSS is capable of fast, objective, and easy interpretation of fire debris data, real-time monitoring, and operation at the fire scene because the devices are portable. However, the fire debris samples have to be kept in the auto-sampler oven for agitation and heating for 20 min leading to time-consuming headspace processing step. Sample preparation is a critical component in the analysis of samples. It is a step that is often scrutinized and challenged by the courts. Along with the analytical methods mentioned above, there are generally sample preparation procedures for extracting and concentrating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from ILRs with complicated substrate materials in fire debris 3,6. The passive headspace concentration with activated charcoal specified by the ASTM E1412 standard is currently the most commonly used method in the United States to isolate and concentrate VOCs from ILRs in fire debris because it is sensitive, easy to conduct, and non-destructive 19. Solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) using Tenax as a sorbent is another commonly used sample preparation technique 8,20. Many new sample preparation techniques have been established, such as headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) 21 , negative pressure dynamic headspace concentration 22 , and ...

show abstract

“…However, this instrumentation is expensive and requires samples to be brought back to the lab for analysis by a skilled technician. It is time consuming as the samples must be pretreated to extract possible accelerants using solid-phase micro extraction techniques and other complicated sample preparation methods [6] [7]. A variety of spectroscopic techniques have been reported for analyzing petroleum products in fire debris samples [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Detection of Accelerants in Fire Debris Using a Field Portable Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Laser Based Analyzer

Huang,

Zhang,

Dai

et al. 2023

OJAppS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Arson presents a challenging crime scene for fire investigators worldwide. Key to the investigation of suspected arson cases is the analysis of fire debris for the presence of accelerants or ignitable liquids. This study has investigated the application and method development of vapor phase mid-Infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy using a field portable quantum cascade laser (QCL) based system for the detection and identification of accelerant residues such as gasoline, diesel, and ethanol in fire debris. A searchable spectral library of various ignitable fluids and fuel components measured in the vapor phase was constructed that allowed for real-time identification of accelerants present in samples using software developed in-house. Measurement of vapors collected from paper material that had been doused with an accelerant followed by controlled burning and then extinguished with water showed that positive identification could be achieved for gasoline, diesel, and ethanol. This vapor phase mid-IR QCL method is rapid, easy to use, and has the sensitivity and discrimination capability that make it well suited for non-destructive crime scene sample analysis. Sampling and measurement can be performed in minutes with this 7.5 kg instrument. This vibrational spectroscopic method required no time-consuming sample pretreatment or complicated solvent extraction procedure. The results of this initial feasibility study demonstrate that this portable fire debris analyzer would greatly benefit arson investigators performing analysis on-site.

show abstract

Sample preparation for the analysis of fire debris – Past and present

Cited by 7 publications

References 39 publications

Interpol review of fire investigation 2016–2019

Interpol review of fire investigation 2016–2019

Accurate and rapid discrimination of cigarette and household decoration material ash residues by negative chemical ionization TOFMS via acid-enhanced evaporation

Rapid Detection of Accelerants in Fire Debris Using a Field Portable Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Laser Based Analyzer

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About