ASTM E1386-23

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 subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (see Test Method E1618).  
4.2 This practice is useful to reduce potential fractionation during separation, such as when attempting to distinguish between various grades of fuel oil.  
4.3 This practice is particularly useful for extraction from nonporous surfaces such as glass, or the interior of burned containers. It is also well suited to the extraction of ignitable liquid residues from samples that are not amenable to extraction using Practice E1412.  
4.4 This practice lacks specificity to separate and isolate ignitable liquids from interfering compounds present in the fire debris.  
4.5 This practice is not suitable for the extraction of extremely volatile compounds and ignitable liquids (for example, acetone, butane, ethanol, propane, some cigarette lighter fluids), which could evaporate during the concentration step.  
4.6 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 could be unsuitable for resampling. If sample spoliation is an issue, a nondestructive extraction technique (for example, Practices E1412, E2154) should be used prior to this technique.
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 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, E2154, and E3189).  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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-Jul-2023
• ICS: 71.040.40 - Chemical analysis
• 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: E1386 − 23 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 from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Con-
centration onto an Adsorbent Tube
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
quantities of ignitable liquid residue from samples of fire debris
Documentation
using solvent to extract the residue.
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
1.2 This practice is suitable for extracting ignitable liquid
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
residues over a wide range of concentrations.
E1618 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts
from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass
1.3 Alternate separation and concentration procedures are
listed in the referenced documents (Practices E1388, E1412, Spectrometry
E1732 Terminology Relating to Forensic Science
E1413, E2154, and E3189).
E2154 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
1.4 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)
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignit-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
able Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E3189 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
from Fire Debris Samples by Static Headspace Concen-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tration onto an Adsorbent Tube
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
E3197 Terminology Relating to Examination of Fire Debris
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
E3255 Practice for Quality Assurance of Forensic Science
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Service Providers Performing Forensic Chemical Analysis
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3. Terminology
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms used in this
practice, refer to Terminology E1732 and Terminology E3197.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.1 process blank, n—an analytical control that is derived
E1388 Practice for Static Headspace Sampling of Vapors
from the labware, reagents, and solvents used in various stages
from Fire Debris Samples
of this procedure to check for interfering or contamination
E1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
products introduced by labware or solvents.
from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-
tration with Activated Charcoal
4. Significance and Use
E1413 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
4.1 This practice is useful for preparing extracts from fire
debris for subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry (see Test Method E1618).
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of E30.01 on Criminalistics.
4.2 This practice is useful to reduce potential fractionation
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2023. Published August 2023. Originally
during separation, such as when attempting to distinguish
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as E1386 – 15. DOI:
between various grades of fuel oil.
10.1520/E1386-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.3 This practice is particularly useful for extraction from
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
nonporous surfaces such as glass, or the interior of burned
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. containers. It is also well suited to the extraction of ignitable
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-29
...

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 − 15 E1386 − 23 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
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,
E2154and , and E2154E3189).
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.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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. For a specific hazard statement, see 5.5.
1.6 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.
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 May 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2023. Published June 2015August 2023. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
E1386 – 10.E1386 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/E1386-15. 10.1520/E1386-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1386 − 23
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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
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)
E2451 Practice for Preserving Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris Samples
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
E3255 Practice for Quality Assurance of Forensic Science Service Providers Performing Forensic Chemical Analysis
3. Summary of Practice
3.1 A sample of fire debris is extracted with an organic solvent. The extract is filtered and concentrated as necessary.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology E1732 and Terminology E3197.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 process blank, n—an analytical control that is derived from the labware, reagents, and solvents used in various stages of this
procedure to check for interfering or contamination products introduced by labware or solvents.
4. Significance and Use
4.1
...