This practice is useful for preparing extracts from fire debris for later analysis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

This is a very sensitive separation procedure, capable of isolating quantities smaller than ¹/₁₀ μL of ignitable liquid residue from a sample.

1. Scope

1.1 This practice describes the procedure for separation of small quantities of ignitable liquid residues from samples of fire debris using an adsorbent material to extract the residue from the static headspace above the sample, then eluting the adsorbent with a solvent.

1.2 While this practice is suitable for successfully extracting ignitable liquid residues over the entire range of concentration, the headspace concentration methods are best used when a high level of sensitivity is required due to a very low concentration of ignitable liquid residues in the sample.

1.2.1 Unlike other methods of separation and concentration, this practice is essentially nondestructive.

1.3 Alternate separation and concentration procedures are listed in the referenced documents (see Practices E1386, E1388, E1413, and E2154).

1.4 This practice does not replace knowledge, skill, ability, experience, education, or training and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction

E1388 Practice for Sampling of Headspace Vapors from Fire Debris Samples

E1413 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Concentration

E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation

E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory

E1618 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

E2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)

E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples

Keywords

fire debris samples; passive headspace concentration ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.220.99 (Other standards related to fire protection)

Citing ASTM Standards

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