Unconfirmed accelerants

Abstract

Fire investigation is arguably one of the most difficult areas of investigation. The fire scene and available evidence has often been burnt, melted, smoke-stained, water-damaged and trampled on, but the fire investigator still has to make important distinctions between whether a fire was accidental or deliberate (arson). Modern fire investigations often rely on portable electronic detectors to identify ignitable liquid residue (ILR), or accelerant detection canines (ADCs), trained on a number of target substances. An analysis of cases from England and Wales, the United States of America (USA) and Canada demonstrates that sophisticated admissibility frameworks have not been effective in rejecting opinion testimony given by investigators and dog handlers that unconfirmed dog alerts where laboratory tests were negative provided proof of arson. This is problematic and controversial, and the authors conclude that such testimony is not compatible with modern forensic or scientific standards and should not be admitted into courts.

Investigating the oxidation behavior of carbon steel in fire scene: a new method for fire investigations

“…6) indicated that carbon was formed on the sample surface, which is ascribed to the pyrolysis of ethanol. Reactions shown in (4) and (5) would compete with each other under oxygen deficiency conditions. The ∆G°-T plot shows that H 2 is preferentially reactive at temperatures below 630°C [22].…”

“…In most instances, arson is started by ignitable liquid accelerants [2,3]. One of the major tasks of fire investigators at the crime scene is to collect the fire debris which contains traces of ignitable compounds [3,4]. Chemical analysis is one of the most widely used techniques by fire investigators.…”

Identification of hazardous organic substances for fire investigation with portable GC-MS

“…The fire scene suffers many alterations and modifications, and the available evidence is often found burnt, melted, smokestained, and damaged by the thermic effects or by water. The investigator's team must carefully assess the fire scene and make important distinctions between whether a fire was accidental or deliberate (arson fire) [1].…”