ASTM E2451-21

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The preservation and storage of extracts recovered from fire debris or liquids submitted in a fire investigation provides a mechanism for reanalysis in the event that the original evidence is altered due to factors such as the extraction process (Practices E1386 and E1413), sample degradation, or failure of the original evidence container during post-analysis storage.  
5.2 Reanalysis of a stored sample extract could result in data that do not duplicate the data obtained during the initial analysis. Loss of the more volatile components of a stored sample can occur, and this possibility should be considered when interpreting data from a stored sample. Studies of gasoline and diesel show that results (that is, determination of presence and classification of an ignitable liquid, or determination of absence of an ignitable liquid) obtained from reanalysis data are in agreement with the initial analytical results. (1-4)  
5.3 Preserved extracts are either returned to the submitter for storage or catalogued and stored by the laboratory or other designee.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers procedures for the preservation of ignitable liquids and ignitable liquid residue extracts obtained from fire debris samples and questioned ignitable liquid samples. Extraction procedures are described in Section 2, Referenced Documents.  
1.2 Specific evaluation of this practice is limited to the preservation of gasoline and diesel fuel (1-4),2 the components of which together span the range of chemical classes and volatility of ignitable liquid residues commonly encountered in fire debris samples.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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-Aug-2021
• ICS: 13.220.40 - Ignitability and burning behaviour of materials and products
• Technical Committee: E30 - Forensic Sciences
• Drafting Committee: E30.01 - Criminalistics

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: E2451 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue
1
Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2451; 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 from Fire Debris Samples
E1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
1.1 This standard covers procedures for the preservation of
from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-
ignitable liquids and ignitable liquid residue extracts obtained
tration with Activated Charcoal
from fire debris samples and questioned ignitable liquid
E1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
samples. Extraction procedures are described in Section 2,
from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Con-
Referenced Documents.
centration onto an Adsorbent Tube
1.2 Specific evaluation of this practice is limited to the
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
2
preservation of gasoline and diesel fuel (1-4), the components
Documentation
of which together span the range of chemical classes and
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
volatility of ignitable liquid residues commonly encountered in
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
fire debris samples.
E1618 TestMethodforIgnitableLiquidResiduesinExtracts
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass
Spectrometry
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Pas-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sive Headspace Concentration with Solid Phase Microex-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
traction (SPME)
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
E3189 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
from Fire Debris Samples by Static Headspace Concen-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
tration onto an Adsorbent Tube
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E3197 Terminology Relating to Examination of Fire Debris
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3. Terminology
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
practice, refer to Terminologies E1732 and E3197.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Practice
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 Extracts obtained from fire debris samples and ques-
E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
tioned liquid samples are preserved and stored as evidence,
from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction
which also allows for potential reanalysis using Test Method
E1388 Practice for Static Headspace Sampling of Vapors
E1618.
5. Significance and Use
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
5.1 The preservation and storage of extracts recovered from
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
fire debris or liquids submitted in a fire investigation provides
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E2451 – 13. DOI:
a mechanism for reanalysis in the event that the original
10.1520/E2451-21.
evidence is altered due to factors such as the extraction process
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
(Practices E1386 and E1413), sample degradation, or failure of
this standard.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or the original evidence container during post-analysis storage.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.2 Reanalysisofastoredsampleextractcouldresultindata
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. that do not duplicate the data obtained during the initial
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-295
...

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: E2451 − 13 E2451 − 21
Standard Practice for
Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue
1
Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2451; 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 describesstandard covers procedures for preserving residuesthe preservation of ignitable liquids in and ignitable
liquid residue extracts obtained from fire debris samples and questioned ignitable liquid samples. Extraction procedures are
described in theSection 2, Referenced Documents.
1.2 This practice does not attempt to address all the issues regarding the short-term or long-termSpecific evaluation of this practice
2
is limited to the preservation of gasoline and diesel fuel storage(1-4), of ignitable liquid samples and ignitable liquid extracts from
fire debris samples. The changes that may occur under various storage conditions have not been fully documented.the components
of which together span the range of chemical classes and volatility of ignitable liquid residues commonly encountered in fire debris
samples.
1.3 This practice cannot replace knowledge, skill, or ability acquired through appropriate education, training, and experience and
should be used in conjunction with sound professional judgment.The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No
other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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
onto an Adsorbent Tube
1
This practice 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, 2013Sept. 1, 2021. Published July 2013October 2021. Originally approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 20082013 as E2451
– 08.13. DOI: 10.1520/E2451-13.10.1520/E2451-21.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
3
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

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E2451 − 21
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
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace
Concentration with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME)
E3189 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Static Headspace Concentration onto
an Adsorbent Tube
E3197 Terminology Relating to Examination of Fire Debris
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Termi
...