ASTM E1388-05

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1388–05
Standard Practice for
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Sampling of Headspace Vapors from Fire Debris Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1388; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1618 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Ex-
tracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-
1.1 This practice covers the procedure for removing small
Mass Spectrometry
quantities of ignitable liquid vapor from samples of fire debris
by sampling the headspace of the debris container.
3. Summary of Practice
1.2 Separationandconcentrationproceduresarelistedinthe
3.1 The sample, preferably in its original container, is
referenced documents. (See Practices E1385, E1386, E1412,
heated in order to volatilize any petroleum products present in
and E1413.)
the debris. After heating, the headspace is sampled and
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
analyzed by gas chromatography, GC/MS, or GC/IR.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 This procedure is particularly useful for screening fire
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
debris samples to determine relative ignitable liquid concen-
trations and possible ignitable liquid class prior to extraction
2. Referenced Documents
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with other techniques.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 This practice is useful when volatile oxygenated prod-
E1385 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
ucts such as alcohols or lacquer thinners are suspected.
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Steam
3 4.3 This practice is the least sensitive of the sample prepa-
Distillation
ration techniques and may not detect quantities of less than 10
E1386 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
µL of petroleum product.
from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction
4.4 Because this separation takes place in a closed con-
E1387 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Ex-
3 tainer, the sample remains in approximately the same condition
tracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography
in which it was submitted. Repeat and interlaboratory analyses
E1412 Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid Residues
are therefore possible.
from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concen-
4.5 Due to variables in the debris sample condition prior to
tration With Activated Charcoal
headspace sampling, complete reproducibility of chromato-
E1413 Practice for Separation and Concentration of Ignit-
grams may be difficult to obtain.
able Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dy-
4.5.1 To obtain greater reproducibility, use one of the
namic Headspace Concentration
separation procedures which results in a solution of the
E1459 Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related
flammable or combustible liquid residue (see Practices E1385,
Documentation
E1386, E1412, and E1413.)
E1492 Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and
4.6 High concentrations of highly volatile compounds may
Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory
swamp the headspace, inhibiting the recovery of less volatile
components.
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This practice in under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
5. Apparatus
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2005. Published October 2005. Originally
5.1 Heating System—An oven, heating mantle or hot plate
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E1388 – 00 (2005).
designed to fit the evidence container.
DOI: 10.1520/E1388-05.
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5.2 Temperature Measuring Device—A thermometer or
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
thermocouple capable of measuring temperatures in the range
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
from 40 to 150°C.
the ASTM website.
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5.3 A gas–tight syringe capable of reproducibility introduc-
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on www.astm.org. ing sample sizes in the range from 0.5 to 5 mL.
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E1388–05
5.4 A drill, punch or other device to puncture holes in 6.3 If the sample is going to be heated, place the container
sample containers. in the hea
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