Recovery and Identification of Residues of Flammable Liquids from Suspected Arson Debris

Estimates of the range of annual fire costs in the U. S. go as high as $5 billion. These estimates include physical damage, loss of use, fire suppression expenses and other factors (1) . It is also estimated that as high as 40% of all fire damage is caused by arsonists. Therefore, the forensic chemist's examination in the laboratory and the subsequent court testimony to the identification of the flammable accelerant is extremely important to the success of the prosecution. Forensic chemists routinely receive debris associated with fires of incendiary origin and ordinarily attempt to establish whether or not a trace of a flammable liquid is present in the debris. The purpose of the forensic chemist's examination is that of establishing the "intent" of the arsonist, a requirement under most statutes (2) . "Intent" eliminates suspicions of fires of natural and accidental origins. This paper presents a current summary of methods and