ASTM_E_1387_-_01.pdf

Designation:E 1387 01Standard Test Method forIgnitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire DebrisSamples by Gas Chromatography1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1387;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the identification of residues ofignitable liquids in extracts from fire debris samples.Extrac-tion procedures are described in the referenced documents.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values given in parentheses are for informationonly.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.For a specificprecautionary statement,see 6.3.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:E 1385 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by SteamDistillation2E 1386 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by SolventExtraction2E 1388 Practice for Sampling of Headspace Vapors fromFire Debris Samples2E 1412 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by PassiveHeadspace Concentration2E 1413 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dy-namic Headspace Concentration2E 1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and RelatedDocumentation2E 1492 Guide for Receiving,Documenting,Storing,andRetrieving Evidence in a Forensic Laboratory2E 1618 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Ex-tracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry23.Summary of Test Method3.1 The sample extract or preparation is introduced into thegas chromatographic column containing a liquid phase suitablefor the separation of common ignitable liquid components.Theresulting chromatogram is interpreted by techniques of patternrecognition and pattern comparison described in this testmethod.Ignitable liquids may fall into one of eight majorclassifications,or into a“miscellaneous”category described inthis test method.4.Significance and Use4.1 The identification of an ignitable liquid residue insamples from a fire scene can support a field investigatorsopinion regarding the origin,fuel load,and incendiary natureof a fire.4.1.1 The identification of an ignitable liquid residue in afire scene does not necessarily lead to the conclusion that a firewas incendiary in nature.Further investigation may reveal alegitimate reason for the presence of ignitable liquid residues.4.1.2 Due to the volatility of ignitable liquids and tovariations in sampling techniques,the absence of detectablequantities of ignitable liquid residues does not necessarily leadto the conclusion that ignitable liquids were not present at thefire scene.4.2 When the gas chromatographic pattern is not sufficientlycomplex,as described in 9.3,additional analytical techniquesare required.5.Apparatus5.1 Gas ChromatographA chromatograph capable of us-ing capillary columns and equipped with a flame ionization ormass spectral detector.5.1.1 SensitivityThe system shall be capable of detectingeach component of the test mixture referenced in 6.5.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E30 on ForensicSciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.Current edition approved Sept.10,2001.Published December,2001.Originallypublished as E 1387 90.Last previous edition E 1387 95.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 14.02.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.5.1.2 Sample Inlet SystemA sample inlet system thatallows a reproducible volume of liquid to be injected.Thesystem may be operated in either split or splitless mode withcapillary columns;the inlet system may use oncolumn tech-nology.5.1.3 ColumnA capillary,bonded phase,methylsiliconeor phenylmethylsilicone column or equivalent.Any columnlength or temperature program conditions may be used pro-vided that each component of the test mixture is adequatelyseparated.5.1.4 GC OvenA column oven capable of reproducibletemperature and temperature program operation in the range of50 to 300C.5.2 Data StationA computerized data station,capable ofstoring chromatographic data from sample runs.A strip chartrecorder is acceptable.5.3 Syringes:5.3.1 For liquid samplesa syringe,capable of reproduc-ibly introducing sample sizes in the range of 0.1 to 10.0 L.5.3.2 For gas samplesa gas-tight syringe capable ofreproducibly introducing sample sizes in the rang