Burn through identification

Debris recovered from the fire scene is often wet and burned, and may consist of material such as wood, carpet, carpet padding, tile, and other synthetic materials, all of which can contribute interfering volatile pyrolysis products that can make the identification of the accelerants difficult. The loss of accelerants through adsorption into the debris, evaporation from the heat of the blaze, and the presence of water all contribute to make the identification of accelerants a challenging task. GC can be a powerful tool in the analysis to separate and identify the accelerant in the presence of these interferences. Fultz and DeHaan have written an excellent chapter on GC in arson and explosive analysis (156). 

---