ASTM E1412-95

Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration With Activated Charcoal

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small quantities of ignitable liquid residue 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).  
1.4 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-2000
• ICS: 13.220.99 - Other standards related to protection against fire
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E1412-00 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration With Activated Charcoal
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2154-15a - Standard Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2881-18 - Standard Test Method for Extraction and Derivatization of Vegetable Oils and Fats from Fire Debris and Liquid Samples with Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2451-21 - Standard Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E3189-19 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Static Headspace Concentration onto an Adsorbent Tube
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1618-19 - Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E2997-16 - Standard Test Method for Analysis of Biodiesel Products by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E3245-20e1 - Standard Guide for Systematic Approach to the Extraction, Analysis, and Classification of Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Debris Samples
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E3197-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Examination of Fire Debris
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1388-17 - Standard Practice for Static Headspace Sampling of Vapors from Fire Debris Samples
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1413-19 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Concentration onto an Adsorbent Tube
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E1386-23 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1412 – 95
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
Separation and Concentration of Ignitable Liquid Residues
from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace
Concentration
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1412; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope tracts from Samples of Fire Debris by Gas Chromatogra-
phy
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small
E 1413 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
quantities of ignitable liquid residue from samples of fire debris
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dy-
using an adsorbent material to extract the residue from the
namic Headspace Concentration
static headspace above the sample, then eluting the adsorbent
E 1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
with a solvent.
Documentation
1.2 While this practice is suitable for successfully extracting
E 1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
ignitable liquid residues over the entire range of concentration,
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
the headspace concentration methods are best used when a high
E 1618 Guide for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts
level of sensitivity is required due to a very low concentration
from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass
of ignitable liquid residues in the sample.
Spectrometry
1.2.1 Unlike other methods of separation and concentration,
this practice is essentially nondestructive.
3. Summary of Practice
1.3 Alternate separation and concentration procedures are
3.1 Charcoal in some form of an adsorption package is
listed in the referenced documents. (see Practices).
placed in the sample container to adsorb ignitable liquid
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
residues. The container may be heated or left at ambient
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
temperature. The charcoal is removed and eluted with CS or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
diethyl ether.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 This practice is useful for preparing extracts from fire
2. Referenced Documents
debris for later analysis by gas chromatography, GC/MS, or
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 GC/IR.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
4.2 This is a very sensitive separation procedure, capable of
E 752 Practice for Safety and Health Requirements Relating
3 isolating quantities smaller than ⁄10 μL of ignitable liquid
to Occupational Exposure to Carbon Disulfide
residue from a sample.
E 1385 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Steam
5. Apparatus
Distillation
5.1 Heating System—An oven, or a heating mantle to fit the
E 1386 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
evidence container (or a hot plate).
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent
5.2 Temperature Measuring Device—A thermometer or
Extraction
thermocouple capable of measuring temperatures in the range
E 1387 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Ex-
of 40 to 150°C.
5.3 Adsorption Package.
5.3.1 Commercial charcoal adsorption packages are avail-
1 able from several companies. These packages, in the form of
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-30 on Forensic
polymer strips or small charcoal canisters or “C bags,” are used
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1995. Published December 1995. Originally
to adsorp organic vapors.
published as E 1412 – 91. Last previous edition E 1412 – 91.
5.3.2 Non-Commercial Adsorption Packages.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
5.3.2.1 Coated Wire—Flatten a piece of copper wire, 22 ga.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.01. by 4 cm on one end for 5 mm. Dip the flattened end in water
E 1412
glass (sodium silicate) and then into activated charcoal (50 to 6.5.2 Diethyl Ether, GC or HPLC grade.
5,6
200 mesh, or equivalent) and dry in an oven at 70°C.
7. Sample Preparation/Adsorption Procedure
5.3.2.2 Coated Beads—Coat plexiglass beads, ⁄8 in. diam-
7.1 Observe the appropriate procedures for handling and
eter, with 50 to 200 mesh charcoal, or equivalent, by placing a
bead and small amount of charcoal ina2mL flat bottomed documentation of all submitted samples as described in Prac-
tice E 1492.
disposable beaker and agitating in an amalgamator for 30 s.
5.3.2.3 C-Bags—Prepare C-bags by encapsulating 0.2 g of 7.1.1 Open and examine the fire debris sample in order to
determine that it is consistent with its description.
activated charcoal within a folded sheet of high strength, light
weight, high porosity tissue paper, such as that commonly used 7.1.1.1 Resolve any discrepancies between the submitting
agent’s description of the evidence and the analyst’s observa-
for making tea bags.
5.3.3 Storage of Adsorption Packages—To prevent con- tion with the submitting agent prior to the completion of the
report.
tamination, store all adsorption packages away from any
sources of organic vapors prior to and after use for sampling. 7.2 Remove an adsorbent package from its sealed packaging
and place it in the evidence container, then reseal the container.
6. Reagents and Materials
7.3 Allow the evidence container to sit overnight. Alterna-
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade ch
...