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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is useful when oils and fats are suspected as an ignition source or a fuel source in a fire.  
4.1.1 The identification of oil and fat residues in samples from a fire scene can support the field investigator’s opinion regarding the origin and cause of the fire.  
4.1.2 The positive identification of fatty acid(s) does not necessarily mean that the fire was caused by self heating.  
4.2 This test method specifically identifies fatty acid derivatives. Oils and fats are comprised primarily of triglycerides (which are fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone), and some free fatty acids. Free fatty acids and triglycerides are not easily analyzed by the traditional ignitable liquid extraction techniques. Solvent extraction and derivatization to FAME will enable identification by GC-MS.  
4.2.1 The identification of an individual fatty acid in fire debris samples does not confirm the presence of oils or fats; however, there are times when large quantities of the oil or fat may be extracted. In such cases a more positive identification can be made.  
4.2.2 Oils and fats containing fatty acids with no double bonds will generally have no tendency to self-heat. With increasing unsaturation (1, 2, and 3 double bonds), the tendency to self-heat also increases, such that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as C18:3, have a high tendency to self-heat.  
4.3 This test method is a sensitive separation technique and can detect quantities as small as 3 µL of oil or fat residue in an extract from a debris sample.  
4.4 This test method shall be performed after all required traditional testing for ignitable liquid residues is completed.  
4.5 This test method extracts liquids and residues from porous and nonporous materials of various sizes.  
4.6 This test method can be hampered by coincident extraction of interfering compounds present in the fire debris samples.  
4.7 This is a destructive technique and whenever possible the entire sample should...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the extraction, derivatization, and identification of fatty acids indicative of vegetable oils and fats in fire debris and liquid samples. This procedure will also extract animal oils and fats, as these are similar in chemical composition to vegetable oils and fats. Herein, the phrase “oils and fats” will be used to refer to both animal and vegetable derived oils and fats.  
1.2 This test method is suitable for successfully extracting oil 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 fatty acid esters and is beyond the scope of this test method.  
1.4 This test method cannot replace the requisite knowledge, skills, or abilities 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2018
• ICS: 67.200.10 - Animal and vegetable fats and oils
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E2154-15 - Standard Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM E1412-16 - Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration With Activated Charcoal
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2016
• Refers: ASTM E1618-14 - Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2014

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2881 − 18 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Extraction and Derivatization of Vegetable Oils and Fats
from Fire Debris and Liquid Samples with Analysis by Gas
1
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2881; 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the extraction, derivatization,
E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Tech-
and identification of fatty acids indicative of vegetable oils and
nical Experts
fats in fire debris and liquid samples. This procedure will also
E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
extract animal oils and fats, as these are similar in chemical
from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction
composition to vegetable oils and fats. Herein, the phrase “oils
E1388 Practice for Static Headspace Sampling of Vapors
and fats” will be used to refer to both animal and vegetable
from Fire Debris Samples
derived oils and fats.
E1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
1.2 This test method is suitable for successfully extracting from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-
oil and fat residues having 8 to 24 carbon atoms. tration with Activated Charcoal
E1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
1.3 The identification of a specific type of oil (for example,
from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Con-
olive, corn, linseed) requires a quantitative analysis of the fatty
centration onto an Adsorbent Tube
acid esters and is beyond the scope of this test method.
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
1.4 This test method cannot replace the requisite
E1618 TestMethodforIgnitableLiquidResiduesinExtracts
knowledge, skills, or abilities acquired through appropriate
from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass
education, training, and experience and should be used in
Spectrometry
conjunction with sound professional judgment.
E2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Pas-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
sive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microex-
standard.
traction (SPME)
E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignit-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
able Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Summary of Test Method
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1 If ignitable liquid analysis is required, it shall be
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
performed prior to analysis for oils and fats as this test method
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
is a destructive technique.Afire debris sample (or sub-sample)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
or an aliquot of a liquid is initially analyzed for ignitable liquid
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
residues using standards listed in the referenced documents.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2 The same sample of fire debris (or different sub-sample)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. or an additional aliquot of a liquid is then extracted with an
organic solvent, and a derivatizing agent is added to convert
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE30onForensic
2
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 1, 2018. Published June 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ɛ1
approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E2881 – 13 . DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E2881-18. 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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E2881 − 18
either 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.
´1
Designation: E2881 − 13 E2881 − 18
Standard Test Method for
Extraction and Derivatization of Vegetable Oils and Fats
from Fire Debris and Liquid Samples with Analysis by Gas
1
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2881; 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
ε NOTE—Editorial corrections were made throughout in January 2015.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the extraction, derivatization, and identification of fatty acids indicative of vegetable oils and fats
in fire debris and liquid samples. This procedure will also extract animal oils and fats, as these are similar in chemical composition
to vegetable oils and fats. Herein, the phrase “oils and fats” will be used to refer to both animal and vegetable derived oils and
fats.
1.2 This test method is suitable for successfully extracting oil 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 fatty acid
esters and is beyond the scope of this test method.
1.4 This test method cannot replace the requisite knowledge, skills, or abilities 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Technical Experts
E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction
E1388 Practice for Static Headspace Sampling of 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
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
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved June 1, 2013June 1, 2018. Published October 2013June 2018. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E2881
ɛ1
– 13 . DOI: 10.1520/E2881-13E01.10.1520/E2881-18.
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 ----------------------
E2881 − 18
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 If ignitable liquid analysis is required, it shall be performed prior to analysis for oils and fats as this test method is a
destructive technique. A fire debris sample (or sub-sample) or an aliquot of a liquid is initially analyzed for ignitable liquid residues
using standards listed in the reference
...