Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Background Interference in Fire Debris Analysis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Forensic Analysis of Fire Debris and Explosives

Abstract

In fire debris analysis, the presence of any volatile compounds in the sample that may interfere with the identification of an ignitable liquid is known as the background. These volatile and semi-volatile background compounds may originate from both burned and unburned materials (substrates) at the fire scene, from fire suppression activities, and even from materials brought to the scene by fire investigators. Background compounds that originate from burned and unburned materials typically arise via three different mechanisms: pyrolysis, combustion, and distillation. The interfering compounds generated from different burned materials, such as wood, plastics, and human remains, and unburned materials, such as building materials, clothing, and decomposing human remains, are discussed. An overview of the chemical reactions that give rise to some of the more commonly encountered substrates of wood and plastic is given. In addition, the background compounds that may be introduced to a fire scene as a result of fire suppression activities (i.e., foams), as well as materials used by investigators to collect samples at a fire scene (i.e., gloves and absorbents), are reviewed. Finally, the importance of generating pyrolysis data from a variety of burned and unburned substrates, and how this data assists in identifying which compounds extracted from a sample of fire debris originated from the substrate and which came from an ignitable liquid, is presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. ASTM E1412-16 (2016) Standard practice for separation of ignitable liquid residues from fire debris samples by passive headspace concentration with activated charcoal. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org

  2. ASTM E1413-13 (2013) Standard practice for separation and concentration of ignitable liquid residues from fire debris samples by dynamic headspace concentration. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org

  3. ASTM E1386-15 (2015) Standard practice for separation of ignitable liquid residues from fire debris samples by solvent extraction. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org

  4. ASTM E1618-14 (2014) Standard test method for ignitable liquid residues in extracts from fire debris samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2014, www.astm.org

  5. Fernandes MS, Lau CM, Wong WC (2002) The effect of volatile residues in burnt household items on the detection of fire accelerants. Sci Justice 42(1):7–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Baerncopf J, Hutches K (2014) A review of modern challenges in fire debris analysis. Forensic Sci Int 244(1):e12–e20

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. DeHaan JD, Bonarius K (1988) Pyrolysis products of structure fires. J Forensic Sci Soc 28(5–6):299–309

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry (1993) Nomenclature and terminology for analytical pyrolysis. Pure Appl Chem 65:2405–2409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Boettner EA, Ball GL, Weiss B (1973) Combustion products from the incineration of plastics. US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati

    Google Scholar 

  10. Edye LA, Richards GN (1991) Analysis of condensates from wood smoke: components derived from polysaccharides and lignins. Environ Sci Technol 25(6):1133–1137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Trimpe MA (1991) Turpentine in arson analysis. J of Forensic Sci 36(4):1059–1073

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Miller RB (1999) Structure of wood. In: Wood handbook—wood as an engineering material. Forest products laboratory general technical report FPL-GTR-113, USDA Forest Service, Madison, WI, USA, pp 2–3

    Google Scholar 

  13. Faix O, Meier D, Fortmann I (1990) Thermal degradation products of wood. Gas chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric characterization of monomeric lignin derived product. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff 48(7–8):281–285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Faix O, Meier D, Fortmann I (1990) Thermal degradation products of wood. A collection of Electron-Impact (EI) mass spectra of monomeric lignin derived products. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff 48(9):351–354

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Faix O, Fortman D, Bremer J, Meier D (199) Thermal degradation products of wood. Gas chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric characterization of polysaccharide derived products. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff 49(5):213–219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Faix O, Meier D, Fortmann I (1991) Thermal degradation products of wood. A collection of Electron-Impact (EI) mass spectra of polysaccharide derived products. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff 49(7–8):299–304

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Collard F-X, Blin J (2014) A review on pyrolysis of biomass constituents: mechanisms and composition of the products obtained from the conversion of cellulose hemicellulose and lignin. Renew Sust Energ Rev 38:594–608

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Lin Y-C, Cho J, Tompsett GA, Westmoreland PR, Huber GW (2009) Kinetics and mechanism of cellulose pyrolysis. J Phys Chem C 113(46):20097–20107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Shen DK, Gu S (2009) The mechanism for thermal decomposition of cellulose and its main products. Bioresour Technol 100(24):6496–6504

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Bao L, Shi L, Luo H, Kong L, Li S, Wei W, Sun Y (2017) Mechanism of microwave-assisted pyrolysis of glucose to furfural revealed by isotopic tracer and quantum chemical calculations. Chem Sus Chem 10(15):3040–3043

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Dence CW, Lin SY (1992) Introduction. In: Lin SY, Dence CW (eds) Methods in lignin chemistry. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  22. Siau JF (1984) Wood structure and chemical composition. In: Transport processes in wood. Springer, Berlin

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  23. Patwardhan PR, Brown RC, Shanks BH (2011) Understanding the fast pyrolysis of lignin. Chem Sus Chem 4(11):1629–1636

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Alder E (1977) Lignin chemistry—past present and future. Wood Sci Technol 11(3):169–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Britt PF, Buchanan AC III, Thomas KB, Lee S-K (1995) Pyrolysis mechanisms of lignin: surface-immobilized model compound investigation of acid-catalyzed and free-radical reaction pathways. J Anal Appl Pyrol 33:1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Custodis VBF, Hemberger P, Ma Z, van Bokhoven JA (2014) Mechanism of fast pyrolysis of lignin: studying model compounds. J Phys Chem B 118(29):8524–8531

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Custodis VBF, Hemberger P, van Bokhoven JA (2017) How inter- and intramolecular reactions dominate the formation of products in lignin pyrolysis. Chem Eur J 23(36):8658–8668

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Stolle A, Ondruschka B, Hopf H (2009) Thermal rearrangements of monoterpenes and monoterpenoids. Helv Chim Acta 92(9):1673–1719

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Goldblatt LA, Palkin S (1941) Vapor phase thermal isomerization of α- and β-pinene. J Am Chem Soc 63(12):3517–3522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Gajewski JJ, Hawkins CM (1986) Gas-phase pyrolysis of isotopically stereochemically labeled α-pinene: evidence for a non-randomized intermediate. J Am Chem Soc 108(4):838–839

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Stolle A, Ondruschka B, Bonrath W (2007) Comprehensive kinetic and mechanistic considerations for the gas-phase behaviour of pinane-type compounds. Eur J Org Chem 14:2310–2317

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Cowan HJ, Smith PR (1988) Plastics and carpets. In: The science and technology of building materials, Van Nostrand Beinhold Co, New York

    Google Scholar 

  33. Rutowski JV, Levin BC (1986) Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS): pyrolysis and combustion products and their toxicity—a review of the literature. Fire Mater 10(3–4):93–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Braun E, Levin BC (1986) Polyesters: a review of the literature on products of combustion and toxicity. Fire Mater 10(3–4):107–123

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Paabo M, Levin BC (1987) A review of the literature on the gaseous products and toxicity generated from the pyrolysis and combustion of rigid polyurethane foams. Fire Mater 11(1):1–29

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Paabo M, Levin BC (1987) A literature review of the chemical nature and toxicity of the decomposition products of polyethylenes. Fire Mater 11(2):55–70

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Braun E, Levin BC (9187) Nylons: a review of the literature on products of combustion and toxicity. Fire Mater 11(2):71–88

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Gurman JL, Baier L, Levin BC (1987) Polystyrenes: a review of the literature on the products of thermal decomposition and toxicity. Fire Mater 11(3):109–130

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Huggett C, Levin BC (1987) Toxicity of the pyrolysis and combustion products of poly(vinyl chlorides): a literature assessment. Fire Mater 11(3):131–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. DeHaan JD (2002) Our changing world. Part 1: furnishings. Fire Arson Investig 52(2):44–45

    Google Scholar 

  41. Levin BC (1987) A summary of the NBS literature reviews on the chemical nature and toxicity of the pyrolysis and combustion products from seven plastics: Acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrenes (ABS) nylons polyesters polyethylene polystyrenes poly(vinyl chlorides) and rigid polyurethane foams. Fire Mater 11(3):143–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Levchik SV, Weil ED (2004) Thermal decomposition combustion and fire-retardancy of polyurethanes—a review of the recent literature. Polym Int 53(11):1585–1610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Sugimura Y, Nagaya T, Tsuge S, Murata T, Takeda T (1980) Microstructural characterization of polypropylenes by high-resolution pyrolysis-hydrogenation glass capillary gas chromatography. Macromolecules 13(4):928–932

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Stauffer E (2003) Concept of pyrolysis for fire debris analysts. Sci Justice 43(1):29–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Shapi MM (1990) Thermal decomposition of polystyrene: volatile compounds from large-scale pyrolysis. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 18(2):143–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Cameron GG (1970) Patterns and problems in the pyrolysis behaviour of synthetic addition polymers. In: The mechanisms of pyrolysis oxidation and burning of organic materials. National Bureau of Standards Special Publication, vol 357. Proceedings of the 4th materials research symposium, 26–29 Oct 1970, Gaithersburg, MD, USA, pp 61–72

    Google Scholar 

  47. Moldoveanu SC (2005) Analytical pyrolysis of synthetic organic polymers. In: Techniques and instrumentation in analytical chemistry, vol 25. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  48. Wampler TP (1989) Thermometric behavior of polyolefins. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 15:187–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Wampler TP, Levy EJ (1986) Effects of slow heating rates on products of polyethylene pyrolysis. Analyst 111:1065–1067

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Ueno T, Nakashima E, Takeda K (2010) Quantitative analysis of random scission and chain-end scission in the thermal degradation of polyethylene. Polym Degrad Stab 95(9):1862–1869

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Prather KR, Towner SE, McGuffin VL, Smith RW (2014) Effect of substrate interferences from high-density polyethylene on association of simulated ignitable liquid residues with the corresponding liquid. J Forensic Sci 59(1):52–60

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Wampler TP (1999) Introduction to pyrolysis–capillary gas chromatography. J Chromatogr A 842(1–2):207–220

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. McNeill IC (1997) Thermal degradation mechanisms of some addition polymers and copolymers. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 40–41:21–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Liebman SA, Ahlstrom DH, Quinn EJ, Geigley AG, Meluskey JT (1971) Thermal decomposition of poly(vinyl chloride) and chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride). II. Organic analysis. J Polym Sci A Polym Chem 9(7):1921–1935

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. O’Mara MM (1977) Combustion of PVC. Pure Appl Chem 49(5):649–660

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Lattimer RP, Kroenke WJ (1980) The formation of volatile pyrolyzates form poly(vinyl chloride). J Appl Polym Sci 25(1):101–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Montaudo G, Puglisi C (1991) Evolution of aromatics in the thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride): a mechanistic study. Polym Degrad Stab 33(2):229–262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Jackowski JP (1997) The incidence of ignitable liquid residues in fire debris as determined by a sensitive and comprehensive analytical scheme. J Forensic Sci 42(5):828–832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Sutherland DA (1999) Fire debris analysis statistics and the use of the latest analytical tools. Can Assoc Fire Investigat J September 11–13

    Google Scholar 

  60. Bertsch W, Zhang Q-W (1990) Sample preparation for the chemical analysis of debris in suspect arson cases. Anal Chim Acta 236(1–2):183–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Howard J, McKague AB (1984) A fire investigation involving combustion of carpet material. J Forensic Sci 29(3):919–922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Bertsch W (1994) Volatiles from carpet: a source of frequent misinterpretation in arson analysis. J Chromatogr A 674(1–2):329–333

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Keto RO (1995) GC/MS data interpretation for petroleum distillate identification in contaminated arson debris. J Forensic Sci 40(3):412–423

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Cavanagh K, Du Pasquier E, Lennard C (2002) Background interference from car carpets—the evidential value of petrol residues in cases of suspected vehicle arson. Forensic Sci Int 125(1):22–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Fanton L, Jdeed K, Tilhet-Coartet S, Malicier D (2006) Criminal Burning. Forensic Sci Int 158(2–3):87–93

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Tümer AR, Akçan R, Karacaoglu E, Balseven-Odabaşı A, Keten A, Kanburoğlu C, Ünal M, Dinç AH (2012) Postmortem burning of the corpses following homicide. J Forensic Legal Med 19:223–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Sandercock PML (2017) A survey of fire debris casework in Canada 2011–2016. Can Soc Forensic Sci J. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2017.1380979

  68. Davies M, Mouzos J (2007) Fatal fire: fire-associated homicide in Australia 1990–2005. Trends Iss Crime Criminal Justice No. 340

    Google Scholar 

  69. Ferguson C, Doley R, Watt B, Lyneham M, Payne J (2015) Arson-associated homicide in Australia: a five year follow-up. Trends Iss Crime Criminal Justice No. 484

    Google Scholar 

  70. DeHaan JD, Campbell SJ, Nurbakhsh S (1999) Combustion of animal fat and its implications for the consumption of human bodies in fires. Sci Justice 39(1):27–38

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. DeHaan JD, Brien DJ, Large R (2004) Volatile organic compounds from the combustion of human and animal issue. Sci Justice 44(4):223–236

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. DeHaan JD, Taormina EI, Brien DJ (2017) Detection and characterization of volatile organic compounds from burned human and animal remains in fire debris. Sci Justice 57(2):118–127

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Won D, Magee RJ, Lusztyk E, Nong G, Zhu JP, Zhang JS, Reardon JT, Shaw CY (2003) A Comprehensive VOC emission database for commonly-used building materials. Institute for Research in Construction, Ottawa, Canada. Report No. NRCC-46265, pp 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  74. Wells SB (2005) The identification of isopar H in vinyl flooring. J Forensic Sci 50(4):865–872

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Hetzel SS, Moss RD (2005) How long after waterproofing a deck can you still isolate an ignitable liquid? J Forensic Sci 50(2):369–376

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Lentini JJ (2001) Persistence of floor coating solvents. J Forensic Sci 46(6):1470–1473

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Kataoka H, Ohashi Y, Mamiya T, Nami K, Saito K, Ohcho K, Takigawa T (2012) Indoor air monitoring of volatile organic compounds and evaluation of their emission from various building materials and common products by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. In: Mohd MA (ed) Advanced gas chromatography—progress in agricultural biomedical and industrial applications, InTech Open Science. Available via InTech. http://www.intechopen.com/books/advanced-gaschromatography-progress-in-agricultural-biomedical-and-industrial-applications/stationary-phases. Accessed 5 June 2013

    Google Scholar 

  78. Denk P, Velasco-Schön C, Buettner A (2017) Resolving the chemical structures of off-odorants and potentially harmful substances in toys—example of children’s swords. Anal Bioanal Chem 409(22):5249–5258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Korpi A, Järnberg J, Pasanen A-L (2009) Microbial volatile organic compounds. Crit Rev Toxicol 39(2):139–193

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Lentini JJ, Dolan JA, Cherry C (2000) The petroleum-laced background. J Forensic Sci 45(5):968–989

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Lentini JJ (1998) Differentiation of asphalt and smoke condensates from liquid petroleum distillates using GC/MS. J Forensic Sci 43(1):97–113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Coulson SA, Morgan-Smith RK (2000) The transfer of petrol on to clothing and shoes while pouring petrol around a room. Forensic Sci Int 112(2–3):135–141

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Pitarque M, Vaglenov A, Nosko M, HirvonenA Norppa H, Creus A, Marcos R (1999) Evaluation of DNA damage by the Comet assay in shoe workers exposed to toluene and other organic solvents. Mutat Res 441:115–127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Perbellini L, Soave C, Cerpelloni M (1992) [Solvent pollution in shoe factories]. La Medicina del Lavoro 83(2):115–119 [In Italian, English Abstract]

    Google Scholar 

  85. Nijem K, Kristensen P, Thorud S, Al-Khatib A, Takrori F, Bjertness E (2001) Solvent exposures at shoe factories and workshops in Hebron City West Bank. Int J Occup Environ Health 7(3):182–188

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Cherry C (1996) Arsonist’s shoes: clue or confusion? In: Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Science, Nashville, TN, USA, February 1996

    Google Scholar 

  87. Ohkuwa T, Funada T, Tsuda T (2012) Acetone response with exercise intensity. In: Mohd MA (Ed) Advanced gas chromatography—progress in agricultural biomedical and industrial applications, InTech Open Science. Available via InTech. http://www.intechopen.com/books/advanced-gaschromatography-progress-in-agricultural-biomedical-and-industrial-applications/stationary-phases. Accessed 5 June 2013

  88. Dormont L, Bessière J-M, Cohuet A (2013) Human skin volatiles: a review. J Chem Ecol 39(5):569–578

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Prada PA, Curran AM, Furton KG (2011) The evaluation of human hand odor volatiles on various textiles: a comparison between contact and noncontact sampling methods. J Forensic Sci 56(4):866–881

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Hawthorne JS, Wojcik MH (2006) Transdermal alcohol measurement: a review of the literature. Can Soc Forensic Sci J 39(2):65–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. Montani I, Comment S, Delémont O (2010) The sampling of ignitable liquids on suspects’ hands. Forensic Sci Int 194(1–3):115–124

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Dekeirsschieter J, Verheggen F, Gohy M, Hubrecht F, Bourguignon L, Lognay G, Haubruge E (2009) Cadaveric volatile organic compounds released by decaying pig carcasses (Sus domesticus L.) in different biotopes. Forensic Sci Int 189(1–3):46–53

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Statheropoulos M, Agapiou A, Spiliopoulou C, Pallis GC, Sianos E (2007) Environmental aspects of VOCs evolved in the early stages of human decomposition. Sci Total Environ 385(1–3):221–227

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Magrabi SA, Dlugogorski BZ, Jameson GJ (2002) A comparative study of drainage characteristics in AFFF and FFFP compressed-air fire-fighting foams. Fire Saf J 37(1):21–52

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Kim AK, Dlugogorski BZ, Mawhinney JR (1994) The effect of foam additives on the fire suppression efficiency of water mist. In: Proceedings of the Halon options technical working conference, Albuquerque, NM, USA, pp 347–355

    Google Scholar 

  96. Knappmeyer K, Yoshida S (1997) Detection of extinguishing agents. TIELINE 21(1–2):21–28

    Google Scholar 

  97. Coulson SA, Morgan-Smith RK, Noble D (2000) The effect of compressed air foam on the detection of hydrocarbon fuels in fire debris samples. Sci Justice 40(4):257–260

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  98. Contreras PA, Houck SS, Davis WM, Yu JCC (2013) Pyrolysis products of linear alkylbenzenes—implications in fire debris analysis. J Forensic Sci 58(1):210–216

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. National Fire Protection Association (2017) NFPA 921 Guide for fire and explosion investigations, Quincy, MA, USA, Section 17.4.2.1

    Google Scholar 

  100. Grafit A, Avissar YY, Kimchi S, Muller D (2017) A Preliminary investigation into background interferences in identifying flammable residues from gloves. J Forensic Ident 67(1):45–59

    Google Scholar 

  101. Mann DC, Putaansuu ND (2006) Alternative sampling methods to collect ignitable liquid residues. Fire Arson Investig 57(1):43–46

    Google Scholar 

  102. Ettling BV, Adams MF (1968) The study of accelerant residues in fire remains. J Forensic Sci 13(1):76–89

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Chasteen CE, Hurchins RR, Render ML (1995) Preparation of pyrolysis standards to approximate pyrolysis products observed in fire scenes. In: Proceedings of the international symposium on the forensic aspects of arson investigations, Fairfax, VA, USA, July 31–Aug 4 1995, U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, pp 331–334

    Google Scholar 

  104. Sandercock PML (2012) Preparation of pyrolysis reference samples: evaluation of a standard method using a tube furnace. J Forensic Sci 57(3):738–743

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Sferopoulos R (2013) Test burning of carpet and foam and potential interferences in identifying petrol in arson investigation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. PhD Thesis, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  106. Johansen NG, Ettre LS, Miller RL (1983) Quantitative analysis of hydrocarbons by structural group type in gasolines and distillates. I: Gas chromatography. J Chromatogr 256:393–417

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Retired, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    P. Mark L. Sandercock

Authors
  1. P. Mark L. Sandercock
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, USA

    Kenyon Evans-Nguyen

  2. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Walnut Creek, CA, USA

    Katherine Hutches

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Sandercock, P.M.L. (2019). Background Interference in Fire Debris Analysis. In: Evans-Nguyen, K., Hutches, K. (eds) Forensic Analysis of Fire Debris and Explosives. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25834-4_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation