How can accelerants be detected?

Physical indicators used to detect the presence of accelerants are localised burn patterns to floors and surfaces and overhead damage inconsistent with the naturally available fuel. Reports from fire fighters or eyewitnesses of a rapid fire or of suspicious odours can also indicate the presence of an accelerant.

What can detect hydrocarbon accelerants?

The Model 850 “Investigator’s Aid” is described as “A rugged, non-calibrated detector, which is excellent for detecting hydrocarbons/accelerants/gases.” This particular unit is designed to detect the presence of hydrocarbons that may be present at a fire scene.

What are examples of accelerants?

Many so-called accelerants are hydrocarbon-based fuels, sometimes more realistically referred to as petroleum distillates: gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, turpentine, butane, and various other flammable solvents. These accelerants are also known as ignitable liquids.

How are hydrocarbon accelerants detected at the crime scene?

Hydrocarbon accelerants can be detected by: A portable detector (sniffer) and trained dogs. A common classification system characterizes ignitable liquids based on their boiling point ranges and number of – molecules as light, medium, and heavy petroleum distillates.

Which of the following are classified as arson accelerants?

Many accelerants are hydrocarbon-based fuels, sometimes referred to as petroleum distillates: gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, turpentine, butane, and various other flammable solvents. These accelerants are also known as ignitable liquids.

Which technique for detecting accelerants in fire debris involves taking solid debris from the suspected point of origin of the fire and heating the vial it is contained it?

Which technique for detecting accelerants in fire debris involves taking solid debris from the suspected point of origin of the fire and heating the vial it is contained it? Headspace gas chromatography.

How do Arson investigators identify accelerants?

Once collected the most common method for identifying the accelerants at a fire is by the use of a GC (Gas Chromatograph) or GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer). The gas chromatograph is the most sensitive and reliable instrument for detecting and characterizing flammable residues.

How do arson investigators detect accelerants?

Which instrumentation is considered the most sensitive and reliable for detecting and characterizing flammable residues?

The gas chromatograph
The gas chromatograph is the most sensitive and reliable instrument for detecting and characterizing flammable residues. Most arsons are started by accelerants such as gasoline and kerosene.

Which type of instrument would you use to analyze volatile accelerants and what would you expect it to do specifically?

Once the isolation is complete the volatiles are detected using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) which will produce a chromatogram that will be interpreted by a fire chemist.

What is the single most important step in the detection and analysis of explosive residues?

The single most important step in the detection and analysis of explosive residues is: the collection of appropriate samples from the explosion scene.

What device is widely used to screen objects for the presence of explosive residues?

The ion-mobility spectrometer has become a widely used instrument for detecting the presence of explosive residues on objects.

What would be a good method for determining the identity of accelerant at a suspected arson scene?

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is the most widely used analytical technique for the determination of accelerants in fire debris.

Which one is the confirmatory tool for explosive analysis?

Mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry continues to be the widest used technique for forensic explosives analysis, especially for post-blast analysis, or for trace detection in security settings. It also is one of the most researched areas in explosives analysis.

What is the difference between presumptive and confirmatory tests?

Presumptive tests, such as those where a color change occurs, are those that usually identify a class of compounds whereas a confirmatory test, such as mass spectrometry, is one that conclusively identifies a specific, individual com- pound.

Why is the confirmatory test necessary after a positive or potentially positive presumptive test?

A positive result from a presumptive test for blood indicates the possibility that blood is present. A positive result from a confirmatory test allows one to conclude that blood is present.