ASTM E1386-15

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is useful for preparing extracts from fire debris for later analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).  
4.2 This is a very sensitive separation procedure, capable of isolating quantities smaller than 1 μL of ignitable liquid residue from a sample.  
4.3 This practice is particularly useful when the potential for fractionation during separation must be reduced, as when attempting to distinguish between various grades of fuel oil.  
4.4 This practice is particularly useful for the extraction of nonporous surfaces such as glass, or the interior of burned containers. It is also particularly well suited to the extraction of ignitable liquid residues from very small samples, very large samples, or samples that are not suitable for heating.  
4.5 This practice is not specific to ignitable liquids and can be hampered by coincident extraction of interfering compounds present in the fire debris samples.  
4.6 This practice may not be useful for the extraction of some extremely volatile ignitable liquids, which may evaporate during the concentration step.  
4.7 This is a destructive technique. Whenever possible, this technique should only be used when a representative portion of the sample can be preserved for reanalysis. Those portions of the sample subjected to this procedure may not be suitable for resampling. If destruction of the sample is an issue, consider using passive headspace concentration as described in Practice E1412.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small quantities of ignitable liquid residue from samples of fire debris using solvent to extract the residue.  
1.2 This practice is suitable for successfully extracting ignitable liquid residues over a wide range of concentrations.  
1.3 Alternate separation and concentration procedures are listed in the referenced documents (Practices E1388, E1412, E1413, and E2154).  
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience and should be used in conjunction with sound 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. For a specific hazard statement, see 5.5.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2015
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1386 − 15 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris
1
Samples by Solvent Extraction
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1386; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small 2.1 ASTM Standards:
quantities of ignitable liquid residue from samples of fire debris E1388 Practice for Static Headspace Sampling of Vapors
using solvent to extract the residue. from Fire Debris Samples
E1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
1.2 This practice is suitable for successfully extracting
from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-
ignitable liquid residues over a wide range of concentrations.
tration with Activated Charcoal
1.3 Alternate separation and concentration procedures are
E1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
listed in the referenced documents (Practices E1388, E1412,
from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Con-
E1413, and E2154).
centration onto an Adsorbent Tube
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace Documentation
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
education, training, and experience and should be used in
E1618 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts
conjunction with sound professional judgment.
from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Spectrometry
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
E2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
standard.
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Pas-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microex-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
traction (SPME)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignit-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
able Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Summary of Practice
For a specific hazard statement, see 5.5.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 A sample of fire debris is extracted with an organic
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
solvent. The extract is filtered and concentrated as necessary.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.1 This practice is useful for preparing extracts from fire
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. debris for later analysis by gas chromatography-mass spec-
trometry (GC/MS).
4.2 This is a very sensitive separation procedure, capable of
isolating quantities smaller than 1 µL of ignitable liquid residue
from a sample.
4.3 This practice is particularly useful when the potential for
fractionation during separation must be reduced, as when
attempting to distinguish between various grades of fuel oil.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
2
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of E30.01 on Criminalistics For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2015. Published June 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E1386 – 10. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1386-15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1386 − 15
4.4 This practice is particularly useful for the extraction of 5.5 Compressed dry nitrogen, filtered air, or inert gas.
nonporous surfaces such as glass, or the interior of burned (Warning—These gases are stored under high pressure.)
containers. It is also particularly well suited to the extraction of
6. Procedure
ignitable liquid residues from very small samples, very large
samples, or samples t
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1386 − 10 E1386 − 15
Standard Practice for
Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris
1
Samples by Solvent Extraction
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1386; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small quantities of ignitable liquid residue from samples of fire debris using
solvent to extract the residue.
1.2 This practice is suitable for successfully extracting ignitable liquid residues over the entirea wide range of concentrations.
1.3 Alternate separation and concentration procedures are listed in the referenced documents (Practices E1388, E1412, E1413,
and E2154).
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This standard cannot replace
knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience and should be used in conjunction
with sound 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. For a specific hazard statement, see 5.5.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E1388 Practice for Sampling of Headspace Vapors from Fire Debris Samples
E1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration With
Activated Charcoal
E1413 Practice for Separation 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
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 A sample of fire debris is extracted with an organic solvent. The extract is filtered and concentrated using dry nitrogen,
filtered air, or inert gas.as necessary.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice is useful for preparing extracts from fire debris for later analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
(GC/MS).
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of E30.01 on Criminalistics
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2010May 1, 2015. Published March 2010June 2015. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20092010 as
E1386 – 09.E1386 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/E1386-10.10.1520/E1386-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1386 − 15
4.2 This is a very sensitive separation procedure, capable of isolating quantities smaller than 1 μL of ignitable liquid residue
from a sample.
4.3 This practice is particularly useful when the potential for fractionation during separation must be reduced, as when
attempting to distinguish between various grades of fuel oil.
4.4 This practice is particularly useful for the extraction of nonporous surfaces such as glass, or the interior of burned containers.
It is also particularly well suited to the extraction of materials ignitable liquid residues from very small samples.samples, very large
samples, or samples that are not suitable for heating.
4.5 This practice is not specific to ignitable liquids and can be hampered by coincident extraction of i
...