ASTM_E_2881_-_13e1.pdf

Designation:E2881131Standard Test Method forExtraction and Derivatization of Vegetable Oils and Fatsfrom Fire Debris and Liquid Samples with Analysis by GasChromatography-Mass Spectrometry1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2881;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.1NOTEEditorial corrections were made throughout in January 2015.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the extraction,derivatization,and identification of fatty acids indicative of vegetable oils andfats in fire debris and liquid samples.This procedure will alsoextract animal oils and fats,as these are similar in chemicalcomposition to vegetable oils and fats.Herein,the phrase“oilsand fats”will be used to refer to both animal and vegetablederived oils and fats.1.2 This test method is suitable for successfully extractingoil and fat residues having 8 to 24 carbon atoms.1.3 The identification of a specific type of oil(for example,olive,corn,linseed)requires a quantitative analysis of the fattyacid esters and is beyond the scope of this test method.1.4 Thistestmethodcannotreplacetherequisiteknowledge,skills,or abilities acquired through appropriateeducation,training,and experience and should be used inconjunction with sound professional judgment.1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.6 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:2E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Tech-nical ExpertsE1386 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-centrationE1492 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)E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignit-able Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples3.Summary of Test Method3.1 If ignitable liquid analysis is required,it shall beperformed prior to analysis for oils and fats as this test methodis a destructive technique.A fire debris sample(or sub-sample)or an aliquot of a liquid is initially analyzed for ignitable liquidresidues using standards listed in referenced documents.3.2 The same sample of fire debris(or different sub-sample)or an additional aliquot of a liquid is then extracted with anorganic solvent,and a derivatizing agent is added to converteither the free fatty acids and some triglycerides(for acid-catalyzed derivatization)or just the triglycerides(for base-catalyzed derivatization)to fatty acid methyl esters(FAMEs).3.3 The organic layer of solvent is removed,filtered,andconcentrated if necessary,using dry nitrogen,filtered air,orinert gas.3.4 Thederivatizedextractisanalyzedbygaschromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).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 June 1,2013.Published October 2013.DOI:10.1520/E2881-13E01.2For 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 3.5 Specific chemical components(fatty acid methyl esters)are identified by their retention times and mass spectra.4.Significance and Use4.1 This test method is useful when oils and fats aresuspected as an ignition source or a fuel source in a fire.4.1.1 The identification of oil and fat residues in samplesfrom a fire scene can support the field investigators opinionregarding the origin and cause of the fire.4.1.2 The positive identification of fatty acid(s)does notnecessarily mean that the fire was caused by self heating.4.2 This test method speci