ON-SCENE CHARACTERIZATION OF FLAMMABLE\u00a0LIQUID VAPORS USING GC\/MS AND SPME\u00a0SAMPLING<\/p>\n
J.D. DeHaan, Ph.D\u00a0Fire-Ex Forensics Inc. USA
\nDavid A. Matthew, M.A.\u00a0International Association of Fire Chiefs, USA
\nand
\nGareth S. Dobson. Ph.D.\u00a0Smiths Detection Inc. USA<\/p>\n
Presented at\u00a0International Symposium on Fire Investigation<\/a>, 2014<\/p>\n ABSTRACT Download the complete paper here<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ON-SCENE CHARACTERIZATION OF FLAMMABLE\u00a0LIQUID VAPORS USING GC\/MS AND SPME\u00a0SAMPLING J.D. DeHaan, Ph.D\u00a0Fire-Ex Forensics Inc. USA David A. Matthew, M.A.\u00a0International Association of Fire Chiefs, USA and Gareth S. Dobson. Ph.D.\u00a0Smiths Detection Inc. USA Presented at\u00a0International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014 ABSTRACT There has not been a significant advancement in on-scene forensic fire debris analysis in over … Continue reading On-Scene Characterization of Flammable Liquid Vapors<\/span>
\nThere has not been a significant advancement in on-scene forensic fire debris analysis in over a decade. The ability\u00a0to identify an accelerant at the fire scene would provide the fire investigator useful data, increasing efficiency and\u00a0effectiveness. This research project was intended to establish if the identification of ignitable liquids can be\u00a0achieved at the fire scene. Three testing sites in Utah, Texas and California provided data that the hand portable Gas\u00a0Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC\/MS) with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) fiber sampling technique\u00a0is able to confirm the identity of ignitable liquid vapors at the fire scene consistent with fire debris analysis\u00a0techniques. Post flashover testing was conducted at three sites in California and one in Utah providing replicable\u00a0data confirming ignitable liquid vapor identification at low part per billion (ppb) and part per million (ppm)\u00a0concentrations in real-world fires. The evidentiary samples taken at the testing sites in California were sent to a\u00a0certified lab to confirm the results from the field data. The GUARDION \u00ae GC\/MS produced by Smiths Detection\u00a0was used for field testing. A limiting factor in the field application of GC\/MS was determined when the data\u00a0produced had to be analyzed by a GC\/MS specialist to confirm the identification of the ignitable liquid, similar to\u00a0current laboratory techniques. It is recommended that a fire debris analysis method be developed to increase the\u00a0field application of GC\/MS.<\/p>\n