ASTM E2451-08

The archiving of extracts recovered from fire debris or liquids submitted in a fire investigation provides a mechanism to preserve extracts and liquids for reanalysis in the event that sample loss, sample degradation, or failure of the fire debris container occurs during post-analysis storage of fire debris evidence.

The nature of some extraction procedures, which may preclude reanalysis, is considered.

Changes to a preserved sample extract and the length of time it remains viable under storage conditions are unknown.

The concentration and composition of the ignitable liquid residue or the use of an alternate extraction/concentration technique used to preserve a sample extract of the fire debris sample may result in different findings between the analysis of the preserved sample and the original analysis.

1.1 This practice describes procedures for preserving residues of ignitable liquids in extracts obtained from fire debris samples and questioned ignitable liquid samples. Extraction procedures are described in the Referenced Documents.

1.2 This practice does not attempt to address all the issues regarding the short-term or long-term storage 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.

1.3 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.