Detection of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Scenes: Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC) Teams and Other Field Tests
Other Scholarly Work
Furton, KG, Harper, RJ. (2004). Detection of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Scenes: Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC) Teams and Other Field Tests
. 75-96. 10.1201/9780203492727-7
Furton, KG, Harper, RJ. (2004). Detection of Ignitable Liquid Residues in Fire Scenes: Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC) Teams and Other Field Tests
. 75-96. 10.1201/9780203492727-7
Once at the fire scene, it is the role of the forensic investigator to determine the seat, or origin, of the fire. This part of the investigation is essential to establish the cause of the fire as well as how it developed and spread throughout the entire fire scene. In turn, examination of the origin of the fire will facilitate the progressive determination of the cause of the fire, whether accidental or malicious. To best determine the likelihood of a willful fireraising event, or act of arson, it falls to the forensic investigator to collect samples for evidence to assist the investigation, much like any other crime. These samples must then be analyzed at a laboratory for the presence of any accelerants or ignitable liquid residue (ILR). Initial investigations involve visual cues about the fire source, followed by either instrumental or biological tools to help further pinpoint where the fire may have begun and if there are any residues remaining that could indicate arson. Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC) Teams are increasingly employed at fire scenes to provide assistance in the search for the presence of ILR. There are, however, various instrumental techniques, in addition to the basic interpretation, through experience, of the fire scene itself, which can be applied to achieve the same result. Furthermore, the importance of correctly identifying the location of ILR at a suspected arson scene is twofold. The presence of ILR at the scene can only be confirmed by subsequent instrumental analysis at a laboratory. By correctly isolating the area suspected to contain ILR, the number of samples that must be collected can be severely reduced, lessening the amount of work required by the laboratory.
