ASTM_E_1388_-_12.pdf

Designation:E138812Standard Practice forSampling of Headspace Vapors from Fire Debris Samples1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1388;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 practice describes the procedure for removingsmall quantities of ignitable liquid vapor from samples of firedebris by sampling the headspace of the debris container.1.2 Separation and concentration procedures are listed in thereferenced documents.(See Practices E1386,E1412,E1413,and E2154.)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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residuesfrom Fire Debris Samples by Solvent ExtractionE1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residuesfrom Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-tration With Activated CharcoalE1413 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dy-namic Headspace ConcentrationE1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and RelatedDocumentationE1492 Practice for Receiving,Documenting,Storing,andRetrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science LaboratoryE1618 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extractsfrom Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-MassSpectrometryE2154 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)3.Summary of Practice3.1 The sample,preferably in its original container,isheated in order to volatilize any ignitable liquid residuespresent in the debris.After heating,the headspace is sampledand analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.4.Significance and Use4.1 This procedure is particularly useful for screening firedebris samples to determine relative ignitable liquid concen-trations and possible ignitable liquid class prior to extractionwith other techniques.4.2 This practice is useful when volatile oxygenated prod-ucts such as alcohols or lacquer thinners are suspected.4.3 This practice is the least sensitive of the sample prepa-ration techniques and may not detect quantities of less than 10L of an ignitable liquid.4.4 Because this separation takes place in a closed con-tainer,the sample remains in approximately the same conditionin which it was submitted.Repeat and interlaboratory analysesare therefore possible.4.5 Due to variables in the debris sample condition prior toheadspace sampling,complete reproducibility of chromato-grams may be difficult to obtain.4.5.1 To obtain greater reproducibility,use one of theseparation procedures which results in a solution of theignitable liquid residue(see Practices E1386,E1412,andE1413).4.5.2 To obtain greater sensitivity for petroleum distillatesand oxygenated products,use solid phase microextraction.(SeePractice E2154.)4.6 High concentrations of highly volatile compounds mayswamp the headspace,inhibiting the recovery of less volatilecomponents.5.Apparatus5.1 Heating SystemAn oven,heating mantle or hot platedesigned to fit the evidence container.5.2 Temperature Measuring DeviceA thermometer orthermocouple capable of measuring temperatures in the rangefrom 40 to 150C.1This practice in under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on ForensicSciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on CriminalisticsCurrent edition approved Feb.1,2012.Published March 2012.Originallyapproved in 1990.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1388 05.DOI:10.1520/E1388-12.2For 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 5.3 A gas-tight syringe capable of reproducibility introduc-ing sample sizes in the range from 0.5 to 5 mL.5.4 Disposable 20 cc syringes.5.5 Disposable 1620 gauge syringe needles.5.6 A drill,punch,or other device to puncture holes insample containers.5.7 Headspace sample vials.6.Sample Preparation6.1 Observe the appropriate procedures for handling anddocumentation of all submitted samples as described in GuideE1459 and Practice E1492.6.1.1 Open and examine the fire debris sample in order todetermine that it is consistent with its description.6.1.1.1 Resolve any discrepancies between the submittingagencys description of the evidence and the analysts obser-