Category Archives: ISFI Proceedings

Mark Goodson PE
Lee Green PE
Michael Shuttlesworth PE
Goodson Engineering
Denton, Texas USA

Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014

ABSTRACT
One of the difficulties that has faced engineers who examine electrical or mechanical items and / or devices after a fire is that of cleaning the item. The key adage in cleaning is essentially a medical command – primum non nocere, or “do no harm.” The cleaning technique will preferably cause no damage to the artefact being examined. Successful cleaning allows for both microscopic, visual, and SEM / EDX analysis.

In a fire, it is not uncommon for fire artefacts (wires, as an example) to require cleaning. Historical cleaning techniques have relied upon ultrasonic cleaning as a means for debris removal. Ultrasonic cleaning makes use of mechanical (sonic) energy to cause debris to dislodge from artefacts. How successful this technique is depends (in part) upon the energy imparted, the solvent used, and the interface between the wire and the debris. In the case of partially pyrolyzed PVC insulation, there are conditions that occur (depending upon the state or extent of pyrolysis) where no amount of mechanical agitation will remove the fire debris.

Oxides can be removed from wires by the use of surfactants or cleaners, some of which can have an etching effect on the metal. Treatments such as Alconox  or Simple Green  sometimes work sufficiently, while a more aggressive oxide remover (Branson OR)  relies on citric acid to help clean the wires. With more aggressive reagents, the user runs the risk of etching the metal and ruining the surface finish.

The writers describe a technique for removing fire debris from metal objects (wire, CSST) for use in removing fire debris. The technique is referred to as plasma ashing . In plasma ashing, a vacuum is created around the artefact, and a carrier gas is introduced (such as O2). An RF field (13.56 MHz) is applied, and the oxygen takes on a monatomic state. Essentially, a plasma i s created, and the monatomic O is free to react with organics associated with the fire debris. This process is also referred to as a glow discharge . The end result is that organics are removed from the artefact, and the ashing takes place at low temperatures – sufficiently low such that grain structure of the metal is not changed. This technique is essentially what is used in one of the manufacturing steps for making integrated circuits (ICs). As such, it imparts sufficiently low energy such that crystalline semiconductor structures are not damaged.

We compare and contrast plasma ashing with other modalities of cleaning. More particularly, we note (through visual microscopy) the efficacy of ashing and ultrasonic cleaning, as well as material removal rates. We show that despite its relative expensive capital costs, ashing represents a cleaning technique that does what other modalities fail to do – consistent removal of organic debris with no damage to the underlying substrate.

Download the complete paper here

James H. Shanley, Jr., PE, CFEI, CFI, MIFireE
Travelers Engineering Laboratory
and
James T. Noll
Travelers Engineering Laboratory

Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014

ABSTRACT

Digital multimedia is created in many forms and with increasing frequency with digital security systems, monitoring cameras, smart phones and other devices. Digital equipment and media obtained from these investigations should be handled in a specific way to preserve its integrity as potential evidence. In addition, Digital Multimedia may contain embedded data that can be clarified or analyzed to increase its value in a fire investigation.

The paper will review best practices with respect to handling digital equipment and multimedia in the context of a fire investigation. It will describe recovery and retrieval techniques and will aid the fire investigator in properly utilizing this growing resource of evidence.

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ON-SCENE CHARACTERIZATION OF FLAMMABLE LIQUID VAPORS USING GC/MS AND SPME SAMPLING

J.D. DeHaan, Ph.D Fire-Ex Forensics Inc. USA
David A. Matthew, M.A. International Association of Fire Chiefs, USA
and
Gareth S. Dobson. Ph.D. Smiths Detection Inc. USA

Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014

ABSTRACT
There has not been a significant advancement in on-scene forensic fire debris analysis in over a decade. The ability to identify an accelerant at the fire scene would provide the fire investigator useful data, increasing efficiency and effectiveness. This research project was intended to establish if the identification of ignitable liquids can be achieved at the fire scene. Three testing sites in Utah, Texas and California provided data that the hand portable Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) fiber sampling technique is able to confirm the identity of ignitable liquid vapors at the fire scene consistent with fire debris analysis techniques. Post flashover testing was conducted at three sites in California and one in Utah providing replicable data confirming ignitable liquid vapor identification at low part per billion (ppb) and part per million (ppm) concentrations in real-world fires. The evidentiary samples taken at the testing sites in California were sent to a certified lab to confirm the results from the field data. The GUARDION ® GC/MS produced by Smiths Detection was used for field testing. A limiting factor in the field application of GC/MS was determined when the data produced had to be analyzed by a GC/MS specialist to confirm the identification of the ignitable liquid, similar to current laboratory techniques. It is recommended that a fire debris analysis method be developed to increase the field application of GC/MS.

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Christopher L. Mealy
Daniel T. Gottuk
Hughes Associates, Inc.

Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2012

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of gypsum wallboard in fire scenes makes it a potentially valuable source of information to fire investigators when assessing a fire scene. The exposure of gypsum wallboard to heat from a fire can result in calcination, which in turn can theoretically be correlated to the total heat exposure to that area. Therefore, if properly characterized, a calcination depth profile of a given enclosure could provide fire investigators with a detailed history of the total heat exposure to the walls and ceiling of the space. This history, when combined with other findings, could provide valuable insight as to where the area of origin was located or how the fire developed. The approach taken in this work incorporated small- and full-scale testing to accomplish several goals: 1) develop an objective method for measuring the calcination depth of gypsum wallboard, 2) assess the utility of the calcination depth surveys in full-scale fires, and 3) characterize the impact of suppression water on calcination depth measurements. In this work a probing pressure of 0.86 kg/mm2  (1175 psi) was identified as providing accurate calcination depth measurements. The benefit of calcination depth surveys in full-scale enclosure fire scenarios was realized primarily for cases where visual patterns were not obvious. The application of water to calcined GWB was found to alter the measured depth of calcination by an average 18 percent, when collected 24 hours after heating/water application and less than five percent after 30 days. This data suggests that if measurements are to be collected in areas that have been wetted by suppression activities for any extended period of time, it would be advisable to delay measurements until the water has been removed.

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Gregory E. Gorbett, MScFPE, CFEI, IAAI-CFI, CFII, CFPS
Eastern Kentucky University, USA
and
Wayne Chapdelaine, CFEI, IAAI-CFI, CFII
Metro-Rural Fire Forensics

Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014

ABSTRACT
The fire investigation industry is considered to be lagging behind the rest of the forensic science fields in its assessment of the performance of methodological approaches and conclusions drawn by practitioners within the field. Despite the best efforts of certifying bodies and industry members, there are still many unknowns within the profession. This paper will present practical uses of the scientific method as it relates to Origin Determination. Several recommended practices have been identified and formatted to reflect the scientific method as utilized in NFPA 921. In addition, where practical, a gap analysis has been conducted on these processes with recommendations provided.

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Vytenis (Vyto) Babrauskas, Ph.D.
Fire Science and Technology Inc., Issaquah WA

Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014

ABSTRACT
A significant fraction of US structure fires originate in electrical wiring, and there is also reason to believe that these numbers may be systematically undercounted. The role of voltage surges and damaged insulation in creating the potential for fire is discussed. That damaged electrical insulation may lead to fire has been known for a century, yet details of the mechanisms by which this occurs have not been extensively studied. UL recently published a study on damage due to poor workmanship in stapling of cables, specifically cases where the insulation is damaged but the conductors are not split. This study establishes that damage which may not appear visually striking may result in dielectric failure; such failures can be a direct cause of fire. Case histories are presented illustrating how mechanical damage associated with stapling of NM cables can result in serious fires. Two preventive measures are described: (a) installation by use of staplers and not hammers, and (b) testing the dielectric withstand voltage of branch circuits after installation and prior to energizing. Both of these measures, if implemented, should reduce the prevalence of electrical fires. However, given the immense amount of fixed wiring installed in buildings, fires due to damaged insulation do not imply that current wiring methods are a low-reliability technology. Only when serious installation defects are present does fire become a foreseeable event.

Keywords : dielectric strength of cables; electrical fires; forensic failure analysis; electrical installation defects; NM cables; voltage surges.

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Last week was ISFI 2016 at the beautiful McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona.

We had over 40 presentations on a variety of fire investigation science and technology topics! Thank you to all of our speakers and all of those who submitted high quality papers of their research and experience, we are so grateful for your desire to share and give back to our community. Over 125 delegates joined us from eight countries.

We also want to thank several individuals who contributed time and effort to ISFI 2016 – Gregory Corbett, Ron Hopkins, Vyto Babrauskas, Scott Davis, Wayne Chapdelaine, Kevin Lewis, and Jim Shanley. Without them, ISFI 2016 would have gone on, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun.

Karrie J. Clinkinbeard, J.D., CFEI
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
and
Gerald A. King, J.D., CFEI
Armstrong Teasdale LLP

Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014

ABSTRACT
After an expert completes the origin and cause investigation, has carefully reviewed all available data and thoroughly researched the methodology and conclusions, the upcoming deposition should be easy, right? Not if you are unaware of tricks lawyers use to shape the testimony in the manner the adverse lawyer desires. Even the most qualified experts who have followed all elements of the scientific method in formulating their opinions are at risk if they are not sufficiently prepared to handle the opposing lawyer’s tricks. An adverse lawyer’s goal during a deposition is to have the expert say something they did not mean to or say it in a way that harms that party’s case. Lawyers craftily lay a myriad of traps when questioning an expert, especially with experts who are strong advocates for their clients. This article highlights some of the most effective lawyer tricks and provides advice on how to successfully navigate them. The presentation will contain video clips of actual depositions where these lawyer tricks are used, providing real world examples of what to do (and not do) and how to recognize when the adverse lawyer is setting you up.

Download the complete paper here