Use of a solid absorbent and an accelerant detection canine for the detection of ignitable liquids burned in a structure fire

J Forensic Sci. 2007 May;52(3):643-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00408.x. Epub 2007 Mar 31.

Abstract

Ignitable Liquid Absorbent (ILA), a commercial solid absorbent intended to assist fire scene investigators in sample location and collection, has been field tested in three separate room fires. The ability of the ILA to detect and absorb different amounts of gasoline, odorless paint thinner, and camp fuel on two different substrates after a full-scale burn was assessed against results from an accelerant detection canine and laboratory analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The canine correctly alerted on most of the panels that contained an ignitable liquid after the fire, while the ILA indicator dye failed to indicate in the presence of gasoline and camp fuel. GC-MS results for ignitable liquid residue from each panel and from the ILA showed that ILA absorbed odorless paint thinner and camp fuel from most of the test panels, but failed to absorb gasoline from the panels on which gasoline was confirmed to be present.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Fires*
  • Forensic Medicine
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Petroleum*
  • Smell / physiology*

Substances

  • Petroleum