The use of activated charcoal strips for fire debris extractions by passive diffusion. Part 1: The effects of time, temperature, strip size, and sample concentration Article

Newman, RT, Dietz, WR, Lothridge, K. (1996). The use of activated charcoal strips for fire debris extractions by passive diffusion. Part 1: The effects of time, temperature, strip size, and sample concentration . JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, 41(3), 361-370. 10.1520/jfs13922j

cited authors

  • Newman, RT; Dietz, WR; Lothridge, K

authors

abstract

  • The introduction of commercially produced activated charcoal strips into fire, debris analysis has provided an easy, efficient and cost effective method for accelerant extraction. Several parameters associated with passive diffusion extraction of fire debris using activated charcoal require consideration in order to obtain a truly representative sample of the accelerant. This study investigated the effects of time, temperature, charcoal strip size and sample concentration on the adsorption of common accelerants. Notable displacement of specific volatile components, similar to the breakthrough noted in dynamic systems, occurred under certain extreme conditions. An analysis protocol was developed to minimize these effects.

publication date

  • January 1, 1996

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 361

end page

  • 370

volume

  • 41

issue

  • 3