ASTM E1618-97
(Guide)Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the identification of residues of ignitable liquids in extracts from fire debris samples. Extraction procedures are described in the referenced documents.
1.2 While this test method is suitable for all samples, it is especially appropriate for extracts that contain high background levels of substrate materials or pyrolysis products. This guide is also suitable for the identification of single compounds, simple mixtures, or non-petroleum based ignitable liquids.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
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Designation: E 1618 – 97
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
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Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Guide for
Identification of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extracts from
Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass
1
Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1618; 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.
3
1. Scope Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration
E 1413 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Flam-
1.1 This guide covers the identification of residues of
mable or Combustible Liquid Residues from Fire Debris
ignitable liquids in extracts from fire debris samples. Extrac-
3
Samples by Dynamic Headspace Concentration
tion procedures are described in the referenced documents.
E 1492 Guide for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
1.2 While this guide is suitable for all samples, it is
3
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Laboratory
especially appropriate for extracts that contain high back-
ground levels of co-extracted materials from the substrate or
3. Summary of Guide
pyrolysis products. This guide is also suitable for the identifi-
3.1 The sample is analyzed with a gas chromatograph (GC)
cation of single compounds, simple mixtures, or non-petroleum
which is interfaced to a mass spectrometer (MS) and a data
based ignitable liquids.
system (DS) capable of storing and manipulating chromato-
1.3 This guide is intended as an alternative to the method
graphic and mass spectral data.
described in Test Method E 1387. It is not intended to be a
3.2 Post-run data analysis generates mass chromatograms
replacement of that document or to supersede any of the
(selected ion profiles) characteristic of the chemical compound
information contained therein.
types commonly found in petroleum-based ignitable liquids
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and specialty products. Additionally, specific chemical compo-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
nents (target compounds) may be identified by their mass
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
spectra and retention times. Semi-quantitative determination of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
specific chemical components (target compounds) which are
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
identified by mass spectra and retention time may be used to
2. Referenced Documents develop target compound chromatograms (TCCs).
3.2.1 The total ion chromatogram (TIC), selected ion pro-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
files (SIP) for the alkane, alkene, alcohol, aromatic, cycloal-
E 752 Practice for Safety and Health Requirements Relating
2
kane, ester, ketone and polynuclear aromatic compound types,
to Occupational Exposure to Carbon Disulfide
or target compound chromatograms (TCC), or combination
E 1385 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Flam-
thereof, are evaluated by visual pattern matching against
mable or Combustible Liquid Residues from Fire Debris
3
known standards.
Samples by Steam Distillation
3.2.2 Petroleum-based products may be grouped into one of
E 1386 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Flam-
five major petroleum classifications or one miscellaneous class,
mable or Combustible Liquid Residues from Fire Debris
3 as described in this guide.
by Solvent Extraction
3.2.3 Non-petroleum distillate-based specialty products
E 1387 Test Method for Flammable or Combustible Liquid
may be identified by specific compound identification or
Residues in Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas
3
categorized in the Miscellaneous (Class 0) category, or both.
Chromatography
E 1388 Practice for Sampling of Headspace Vapors from
4. Significance and Use
3
Fire Debris Samples
4.1 The identification of an ignitable liquid residue in
E 1412 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Flam-
samples from a fire scene can support the field investigator’s
mable or Combustible Liquid Residues from Fire Debris
opinion regarding the origin, fuel load, and incendiary nature
of the fire.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-30 on Forensic
4.2 Materials normally found in a building, upon exposure
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.
Current edition approved April 10, 1997. Published February 1998. Originally to the heat of a fire, will form pyrolysis products. Selected ion
published as E 1618 – 94. Last previous edition E 1618 – 94.
profiling and target compound identification techniques de-
2
Annual Book of A
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