ASTM_E_1618_-_14.pdf

Designation:E161814Standard Test Method forIgnitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire DebrisSamples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1618;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()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 Although this test method is suitable for all samples,itis especially appropriate for extracts that contain high back-ground levels of substrate materials or pyrolysis and combus-tion products.This test method is also suitable for the identi-fication of single compounds,simple mixtures,or non-petroleum based ignitable liquids.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.4 This practice cannot replace knowledge,skill,or abilityacquired through appropriate education,training,and experi-ence and should be used in conjunction with sound profes-sional judgment.1.5 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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residuesfrom Fire Debris Samples by Solvent ExtractionE1388 Practice for Sampling of Headspace Vapors from FireDebris SamplesE1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residuesfrom Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-tration With Activated CharcoalE1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residuesfrom Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Con-centrationE2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Pas-sive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microex-traction(SPME)E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignit-able Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples3.Summary of Test Method3.1 The sample is analyzed with a gas chromatograph(GC)which is interfaced to a mass spectrometer(MS)and a datasystem(DS)capable of storing and manipulating chromato-graphic and mass spectral data.3.2 Post-run data analysis generates extracted ion profiles(mass chromatograms)characteristic of the chemical com-pound types commonly found in ignitable liquids.Additionally,specific chemical components(target compounds)may beidentified by their mass spectra and retention times.Semi-quantitative determination of target compounds which areidentified by mass spectra and retention time may be used todevelop target compound chromatograms(TCCs).3.2.1 The total ion chromatogram(TIC),extracted ionprofiles(EIP)for the alkane,alkene,alcohol,aromatic,cycloalkane,ester,ketone and polynuclear aromatic compoundtypes,or TCCs,or combination thereof,are evaluated by visualpattern matching against known reference ignitable liquids.3.2.2 Ignitable liquids may be grouped into one of sevenmajor classifications or one miscellaneous class,as describedin this test method.4.Significance and Use4.1 The identification of an ignitable liquid residue insamples from a fire scene can support the field investigatorsopinion regarding the origin,fuel load,and incendiary natureof the 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.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 July 1,2014.Published July 2014.Originally approvedin 1994.Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E1618 11.DOI:10.1520/E1618-14.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.1.2 Because of the volatility of ignitable liquids andvariations 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 Materials normally found in a building,upon exposureto the heat of a fire,will form pyrolysis and combustionproducts.Extracted ion profiling and target compound